Varying Oil Pressure

[engstructural]

Hi all,

I have a large gas genset (approx. 100KVA) when it is running for a while maybe 6-24hour I have notices the oil pressure is variable - this is normally around 5-5.5 bar but some times is dropping to approx. 2.8 bar this often returns to the correct pressure after approx 10 mins although even this is variable aand will soon start to vary significantly and even dropp again.

Has anyone any experience of this or can you advise of possible causes?

I have checked the electrial connection to the pressure monitor and an currently checking the monitor itself but don't think this is the problem.

 

[berkshire]

Have you checked the crank case, to see if it has enough oil in it?
B.E.

 

[patprimmer]

Is there a significant amount of sludge in the sump.

Could the oil pump pick up have a crack in it.

Regards
Pat
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[MintJulep]

Are the deairators working (or there)?

 

[CRG]

Can you install a temporary mechanical gauge to the gen set to verify the pressure monitor when it shows the oil pressure drops?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Engines like that are often equipped at the dealer with a lube oil supply system comprising an automatic fill valve (that may have a sight glass) and a barrel to hold yet more lube oil.

Check that there's oil in the barrel.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[engstructural]

Thanks guys,

I tried the guage etc. but the issue has appanently resolved itself. problably old gluppy oil in the sump.

 

[rmw]

I used to be concerned about erratic and sporadic readings on analog dashboard gages on Ford vehicles until I got in a friends truck where he had mounted a bourdon tube gage in on the dash (in parallel to the dash gage). When I saw what the bourdon tube showed vs. what the dash gage indicated, I never worried again.

rmw