6bta 370s oil pressure lost/fuel cooler kit

[Michael]

I recently installed the SMX fuel cooler removal kit on both engines,.  This past weekend I finally put her in water and ran 20nm to my slip.  Babying it on the way down I noticed unusual activity with both oil pressure gages.  At idle stayed at 45 PSI and and increased to 52 running at 2100.  Prior to the combo block removal pressures were 5 psi at idle and 50+ at 2300, this was very consistent for the past 8 years.  Yesterday I ran her at 2450 for about 5 minutes and stopped for fuel at which time throttle back resulted is a low pressure alarm (which is normal in starboard), typically goes away after a few second.  This time the starboard gage hit zero and never regained, even on the jog back to her slip.  No leaks or blowing oil anywhere.  Sensor and gages are 2005 originals.  I tend to go crazy and replace stuff I shouldn’t, so I ask – is there a KISS approach to trouble shooting this issue or just by new sensor as step one….? New gage? wires/ connections….? all the above?

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[Clark Leighs]

I suggest installing a mechanical pressure guage on a TEE with the  existing pressure sensor

for the dash gauges.       That will tell you which problem you have,  a goofy dash guage or a real problem.            Use a steel hydraulic TEE. for strength and vibration resistance.

At the very least a FORGED brass TEE.

 

If it is a goofy guage check ALL the wiring between the sensor and the guage  and the actual guage power supply.    THe connections, all of them,  MUST be tight and clean of corrosion or it cannot work properly.

[Author]

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