this summer I started seeing some variability in the previously rock-steady oil pressure on my gas 850. Generally it has run around 40-50lbs for me. Now it will frequently drop down to 20, stay there for a bit, then jump back up to normal.
The variability doesn't seem to be temperature or RPM dependent, but it IS affected by bumping around uneven terrain or making sharp turns.
My oil level is good, the oil is clean, no noticeable issues with power or otherwise. Have not checked the filter. Oil and filter were new a year ago, which was maybe 15 hours ago on the proof-meter.
Anything obvious I should be looking at based on my description? I'm considering dropping the oil pan to check the pickup tube and pump. Wondering if I could be sucking air at certain angles due to a hole or crack in the pickup tube, or maybe intermittently sucking some gunk into the pickup tube and restricting the suction pressure.
The variability doesn't seem to be temperature or RPM dependent, but it IS affected by bumping around uneven terrain or making sharp turns.
My oil level is good, the oil is clean, no noticeable issues with power or otherwise. Have not checked the filter. Oil and filter were new a year ago, which was maybe 15 hours ago on the proof-meter.
Anything obvious I should be looking at based on my description? I'm considering dropping the oil pan to check the pickup tube and pump. Wondering if I could be sucking air at certain angles due to a hole or crack in the pickup tube, or maybe intermittently sucking some gunk into the pickup tube and restricting the suction pressure.