Caver 404Oil Pressure Guage Needle Bouncing

[RReardon]

Hi

I noticed, while cruising in some moderately rough seas that my port side oil pressure needle was dropping and recovering very quickly. I would describe it more as "bouncing" than actually a drop (lasted less than a second). Total drop was maybe 10 psi. A couple of questions:
1) Has anyone else experienced this?
2) Any ideas on what could cause it....I am think a connection, needle, etc. issue.

Now for the dumb question. I am going to check the port side engine oil level. Any guidance on where to look for the dip stick would be great.

Thanks
Rich

[waybomb]

Ouch.
Some advice, if I may.
Before any excursion, open the hatch and check the oil, belts, look for leaks, and smell for gas. Check the trans fluid as well. If closed cooling check coolant level as well. Every time you use the boat.

Where you sticks actually are can't be answered by me.

I would guess the engine is a couple of quarts low and engine life has been reduced.

[Viper]

Don't know what year your 404 is but the bouncing needle could be the result of one or more of several things;
bad sender, poor or corroded or loose connection at the sender or gage or the engine harness. Sounds to me like the gage is fine and is simply reacting to an external issue. More often than not, it's a bad connection and a matter checking each point from the engine to the helm. You can also try swaping the wiring from port to starb gage at the helm and see if the problem follows to the other side. If it doesn't but the same gage reacts the same way, replace the gage.

[Ramsport47]

Don't know which engines you have, but commonly the dipsticks are mounted along the inboard side of each engine for ease of access