Baller Skiphreak Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 Hey all, Frequent lurker - seldom poster. Hoping for some help- 2004 Malibu Response lxi - experiencing low oil pressure on start-up and continuing until engine comes up to running temp (around 160F). Dash gauge displays oil pressure hovering around 20 psi and if I accelerate at all beyond 1500 rpms, it will nosedive below 15psi and set off alarm. Once up to running engine temp (160F), oil pressure eventually comes up to normal (40psi) and runs smooth. Oil level fine - was changed around 20hrs ago. Has happened consistently the last three or four times out. I’ve read on some of the Malibu boards that it could be the sending unit. Thanks for the help in advance. An aside - took up slaloming around 2 years ago and this site has provided endless informative information and institutional knowledge. A great resource and devoted community. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jetsetr Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 Oil pressure issues USUALLY present themselves in the opposite way... Pressure starts high then drops as the engine warms up (all the clearances open up and the oil thins somewhat). Start with the sending unit...guessing that will cure it. An easy change right above the oil filter or back by the distributor. There is also a separate sending unit for the warning system but pretty sure main oil pressure sending unit will cure the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted July 25, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted July 25, 2020 Good chance it is just that. Another potential could be oil filter pressure relief spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jetsetr Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 Good point @DW easy enough to change the filter also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihacker Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 I had this exact boat with the same problem, first thing to check is actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, very uncommon problem but find out for sure. There are 2 sensors, one for the dash gauge and one for the ecm, both will alarm if low low pressure. These boats were also known for wiring problems between the dash and the motor, the Malibu Crew forum i recall had info on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lars Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 I'll just echo the others, one of my ski partners has this same boat and the oil alarm is constantly going off, used to just be while idling. He says the guy he takes it to says its just the dash sensor and there's nothing actually wrong, he's decided to live with it I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skiphreak Posted July 25, 2020 Author Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 Thanks for the advice. @skihacker did you end up diagnosing if it was actually just the sensor or something more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted July 25, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 25, 2020 There are 2 sensors. One that is on/off and controls the alarm buzzer, and one analog for the gauge. If the alarm isn't going off then your analog sensor is likely bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skihacker Posted July 26, 2020 Baller Share Posted July 26, 2020 I verified the oil pressure was ok, replaced the sensor, still had intermittent alarms while running, i checked a few common spots for electrical problems and never got it fixed, knowing it had a second sensor i finally got annoyed and disabled the dash gauge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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