Does anyone know the spec's for these 2 items for the Universal M35A engine? My oil pressure alarm is very sluggish; doesn't sound when I turn on the ignition key before starting the engine, and takes several minutes before sounding, when the engine is stopped, leaving the ignition on. The contacts have been cleaned, so don't think that's the issue. I need to check the buzzer by shorting the sensor wire to ground, too.
still the parts aren't that expensive, so I might just get one or both and replace them to be on the safe side. Bad alarm could be expensive.
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Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
You might try cleaning it first. Take off the leads un screw and spray a bunch of WD40 in the sensing hole. Shake it out and reinstall.
If that doesn't help take it to your local auto parts store and see if they can come up with a match. Be a bunch cheaper than any of the marine stores. If you have a Kubota dealer near you that is another good source.
Ken and Vicki Juul
SV Luna Loca
C34 #1090
Chesapeake Bay
Oil Pressure: Is it a Normally Closed (NC) switch? Or a Normally Open (NO) switch? I think it's probably NC, so that oil pressure would open the contacts, thereby removing the ground from the buzzer circuit.
8/3/11 NOTE: C36IA Member Richard Nowena has subsequently advised me that the switch is Normally Open (NO).
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Well, I think I found the answer to the question. One of those, "uhhh, DUH..!" moments. When the key is first turned on, or the engine shut down, the low oil pressure light immediately lights. So, obviously, the sender is just fine, it's the buzzer that's flaky.
So, time to order a new buzzer; I may get 2 and mount one below so I'd hear it if I'm running the engine to charge batteries, and am not on deck.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
I just went through this exercise. My buzzer was anemic so I ordered a new one from Seaward. Then the oil pressure light started flickering on but only once in a while. I finished up replacing the buzzer and the oil pressure sender. While I was at it, I checked all of the electrical connections on the engine panel and discovered that the ignition key connection could be moved slightly. After doing all of this everything is fine. Just as a precaution, I did take the time to hook a mechanical oil pressure meter to the oil pressure port on the engine and the pressure was OK although I belive if you do lose oil pressure the fuel pump stops as a safety messure. Maybe someone could confirm this. I also like Ken's comment on the WD40 but I only saw it after I had done all the work.
John Meyer
Hilbre 2135
John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135
Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA
John, yes, the fuel pump should stop if you lose oil pressure, assuming someone hasn't bypassed that circuit as was the case on our boat. But also be aware that if your tank is more than half full, on a Mk II it will still run through siphoning. Our fuel pump quit sometime last year and we never knew it until I tried to bleed the fuel system after filter work. We always keep the tank mostly full. I put a new alarm buzzer in last year as well and that is a huge improvement over what was there.