L3301 OIL PRESSURE
- Thread starter DONLI
- Start date
I never had a gauge for my 3301 to really know.
But a general rule of thumb would be 10-20ish at initial warm idle on the low end, although at first start up cold idle (like most automotive things) would be significantly higher. 40, 50 60psi maybe. Once settled, I would expect maybe 20-40ish psi.... could be completely wrong though.
Wait and let a couple regulars chime in here and give you a more accurate answer. I'm just spit ballin'.
Thank you!
I looked in the WSM and never found it, could be that I was going cross eyed trying to read it on my laptop!
Thanks!
Don
I looked in the WSM and never found it, could be that I was going cross eyed trying to read it on my laptop!
Thanks!
Don
A common misconception is that more oil pressure is better.
Not so. In fact, very little pressure at ANY speed is just fine. The oil separates the moving parts from each other (most folks worry about plain bearings…but those actually require only a fine film).
Most mfr’s allow as little as 5 psi on warm/hot engines at idle….and 20 psi will work fine in all but the wildest race engines….and even in those, it’s not because of any need for friction avoidance… it’s to carry Heat away from critical surfaces.
Not so. In fact, very little pressure at ANY speed is just fine. The oil separates the moving parts from each other (most folks worry about plain bearings…but those actually require only a fine film).
Most mfr’s allow as little as 5 psi on warm/hot engines at idle….and 20 psi will work fine in all but the wildest race engines….and even in those, it’s not because of any need for friction avoidance… it’s to carry Heat away from critical surfaces.
The WSM is quite clear - minimum allowable oil pressure for that engine is 36 PSI @ rated speed.
Dan
Hokie… you yourself posted the chart which allows 7 psi at idle. My comments were not referencing Kubota WSM… they were anecdotal for purposes of reassuring the OP’s concerns.
And my response was to your 'anecdotal" claim that 20 PSI was adequate for everything but race cars. Its not and never has been.
Dsn
You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m speaking from personal experience with tractors, boats, and many vehicles. My 9N Ford tractor ran on 15-20 psi for over 20 years without difficulty, and it was worked Hard. When hot , it idled at 5 psi.
All bearings require is lubrication for friction and heat dissipation. I think 20 psi is adequate for anything but high-performance engines. Tractors are not high-performance. They typically run less than 3000 RPM, usually much less.
YMMV
All bearings require is lubrication for friction and heat dissipation. I think 20 psi is adequate for anything but high-performance engines. Tractors are not high-performance. They typically run less than 3000 RPM, usually much less.
YMMV
On average I do about one 9N/8N oil pump rebuiId per week - $35 labor and $110 parts. Even for an old flathead with bypass filtering that lubrication sustem was inadequate and was/is a constant source of failures due to low oil pressure and insufficient volume.
It has zero relevance to any OHV engine. You might as well cite an old splash lubed B&S lawn mower engine that ran with zero oil pressure.
Dan
It has zero relevance to any OHV engine. You might as well cite an old splash lubed B&S lawn mower engine that ran with zero oil pressure.
Dan
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Kinda wondering why Kubota doesn't put oil pressure gauges on their machines ? I know my BX23S doesn't have one, maybe only on much bigger machines ? Since they have a spec , can we 'assume' there's a port to add a gauge to ?
Seems all the older makes/models had them...
Seems all the older makes/models had them...
Engine oil pressure is a confusing mystery to most owners and OEMs quit putting oil pressure gauges on most machines decades ago.
Instead they have a low pressure alarm (idiot light) that illuminates around 7-8 PSI. When that light comes on the engine has lost oil pressure and should be immediately shut down.
On most machines you can add a gauge by repurposing the port used for the low oil pressure warning sensor.
Dan
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