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trayson
06-03-2024, 12:48 PM
I posted in the FB group but I'll post here for the non FB crew...

I have the 340 etx cat running on mefi5. I've been dealing with low oil pressure.

Last year it went into protection mode with the 3000 rpm limit, and I wasn't low on oil. Tried lots but ultimately a fresh oil change fixed the pressure that I didn't even bother using the mechanical gauge last fall.

I still gave it a fresh oil change and on the 3rd time out this year I got protection mode and the code just motoring with no ballast at 23 to 25mph. Added a quart and it improved (I found threads where the "fix" for the oil pickup on the bow side of the oil pan was too add more oil per indmar).

I given the oil pressure improved dramatically last fall with an oil change, I decided I'd swap out to a different filter. I'd been going cheap and easy before using whatever was convenient at Walmart or Amazon and had been using the Fram ultra guard. Now I believe that they are ultra-crap.

I threw on a Moroso racing filter and it was a very noticeable improvement on my digital gauge. I also put on a new digital oil pressure sender, even though I don't think that was the problem as my dash gauge and the psi off the ECU leveraging the digital switch had been reading consistently.

I also stumbled on this spec for psi on the indmar engines and was shocked at how crazy low indmar says our engines are spec'd for. I'd love to hear some thoughts on that. (3psi @ idle and 18psi @ 2k rpm?!?)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240603/9ad02e6843d6ac0feccd36d55f23da9b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240603/3d7b1ccb94581b45aeaa1df35d85c0a8.jpg

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Holdmybeer
06-03-2024, 05:01 PM
Not sure what to say about the specs. All GM motors I have ever worked on including a Mercruier 3.0LX had 10-15psi at idle and 28-30psi at cruise speed. If the engine is cold these numbers are double.

Oddly enough you hit some key points that other members here are struggling with.

MJHSupra
06-04-2024, 10:41 AM
My first two suggestions you have tried - different oil and filter.

Sender issue? Hope you do not have an issue with that oil pick-up tube. Should be able to tell by removing the pan and getting a scope under there to look. Never done it and it sounds like a big PITA.

trayson
06-13-2024, 05:21 PM
Went out another time and no cel for oil pressure... Hoping for the best.

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james yarosz
06-13-2024, 06:47 PM
I have always been told 10 psi for every 1000 rpm.I run 15w40 synthetic oil and Delco oil filters.My oil pressure is great.