Lower Oil Pressure after installing Bypass system

[6speed]

Installed The AMSOIL dual bypass BMK-15 and after I double checked all the fittings to insure they where in fact tight and not going to rub, started it up and it took about 5 seconds to build pressure. Normally when engine is cold it idles at 70 psi. with the bypass system it only has 40. I doubled checked to make sure the correct lines where in fact on the correct ports. When it gets to operating temps it sits at about 25 psi which is what it did before. I kinda figured it would loose a little, but 30 lbs! My concern is how and why did it loose pressure and will I do damage. I did have to get some replacement hose and fittings. Unit is mounted just behind front body mount about even with the clutch. It took all the hose I received to reach.







04 QC 6 sp Graphite Mettalic debagded w/ airbrushed purple and blue flames, AM Racing Teflon coated Wheels, Autometer Trans, Oil & Diff Temp ga, Boost & EGT, Fuel Pressure, Oil Pressure and water temp. FASS 95/150. Silencer Ring MIA, TST stacked with a Garmon Box. BD Exh Brake and Exh System, LUK Cerametallic Clutch

 

[steved]

Two things:

First are you reading the factory guage or an aftermarket?? The OE guage is fake and controlled by the computer.

Second, the BMK-15 isn't recommended for the 04+ trucks... only the BMK-11...

steved

 

[nickleinonen]

First are you reading the factory guage or an aftermarket?? The OE guage is fake and controlled by the computer.

diddo... anything over 6 psi and the dash shows you something [and will vary according to coolant temprature and engine rpm. . ]

 

[6speed]

Its with an autometer gauge using the port on top of the oil/cooler mount

 

[AKaiser]

This is why I ordered the BMK-11, which should be at the farm today. I had the dual on my gasser, which was nice, but I'm not taking chances with a $5000 motor on a $30K truck.

 

[AMassaro]

Did you add the extra oil required from the added volume of the system?



If so, there's a problem somewhere. Maybe you need to add a smaller restriction somewhere in the oil feed. Not too familiar with that setup.

 

[steved]

Did you add the extra oil required from the added volume of the system?



If so, there's a problem somewhere. Maybe you need to add a smaller restriction somewhere in the oil feed. Not too familiar with that setup.

He's got the remote filter setup that relocates both the fullflow filter and bypass filter. I'm not sure why he would see such a drop unless there was a significant drop across the remote filter??? You know, sorta like trying to pump 30 GPM through a hose that would support 20 GPM??



I wish Wayne would chime in here... I'll send him a PM to get him hooked on this thread...



steved

 

[6speed]

talked to AMSOIL after I talked to you steved, they said that THEY don't recommend the BMK 15. We talked and they are going to work with me on exchanging for the BMK 11. Thanks for all the helpfrom everyone. Man I love this truck. Have had 3 other diesels before this all Cummins but nothing pulls like this one, of course I have done some mods. But thanks to everyone that chimed in. The system is off the truck and will wait for the 11.

 

[Red Ram]

The BMK-15Ea Dual Remote Filtration System is not recommended for 2004 and newer Dodge pickups equipped with Cummins 5. 9L diesel engines. AMSOIL is recommending the BMK-11 for these applications. AMSOIL still recommends the BMK-15Ea for 2003 and older Dodge pickups equipped with this engine

 

[lmills]

yes, you will see a drop. I believe mine was 20 psi lower with it before I kicked it to the curb LOL

 

[TStinson]

6spd - I had the dual-remote BMK-11 system on my '99. The indicated pressure also showed a slight drop. Everyone told me the factory gauge lies about the actual pressure, so I asked AMSOIL tech. Their response was something to the effect that the increased liubricity, plus the stable lower viscosity (even @ the advertised 15W40 weight) of AMSOIL actually lowers indicated oil pressure - even with a calibrated gauge, and that the dual-remote system tends to add to this.

The engine had 50000 mi on it when the system was installed. I began using oil analysis to keep up with the oil's condition, which showed for the next 200000 mi all was well within tolerance. The oil went over 105000 mi between changes at one stretch. Then, I fell victim to the water jacket crack "53 block" at 250000 mi. When I pulled the engine to swap parts to a new shortblock, we checked clearances on several critical parts and found eveything in excellent condition, showing minimal wear.

So - said all that to say this - I was not, and would not now be - overly concerned about a drop in pressure. So long as you are getting as much as - or more than - what the Cummins service manual advises, the iron horse should live long & strong.



Remember - This IS BASED UPON MY experience with AMSOIL's bypass system.

There very well may be someone who had an adverse experience who will be willing to rebut everything I have said.



Now - If this doesn't start a war - I will be surprised.

 

[steved]

6spd - I had the dual-remote BMK-11 system on my '99. The indicated pressure also showed a slight drop.



Now - If this doesn't start a war - I will be surprised.

We are talking a BMK-15, not a BMK-11... a 20psi drop is significant in a remote filter, not just a bypass.



It won't start a war, you are talking oranges and we are talking apples...



steved

 

[brods]

Ok, you guys were not paying attention. His first complaint was with no pressure for 5 seconds at first startup. It sounds like he has long hose runs. Unless he primed the system somehow, these hoses have to fill with oil before pressure will build. If he didn’t pre-fill the filters with oil, that would add to the delay. So at first startup a delay in oil pressure would be expected.



His next issue was a high pressure drop while the engine was cold. Long hoses also helps to explain the large pressure drop when the engine was cold. Cold oil, which is thicker, will require more pressure to force it through the hoses and fittings, so a pressure drop is unavoidable. The longer the hoses and the more numerous the fittings, the greater the pressure drop, especially if the inside diameters are small in size. Sharp bends in the hoses could cause restrictions as well. Also, fittings from different manufacturers vary and some have greatly reduced inside diameters which will add restriction and increase the pressure drop.



Even worse yet would be if the kit or the installation allowed any oil to drain or siphon back to the pan so that on the next startup oil pressure would be delayed until oil refilled the hoses and or filter. From some posts in other threads it appears this has happened on occasion.



These conditions apply to all trucks, not just the new ones. If there is a problem with it on the new trucks then the problem is there on the old trucks too, you just don't see it.

 

[AKaiser]

Even worse yet would be if the kit or the installation allowed any oil to drain or siphon back to the pan so that on the next startup oil pressure would be delayed until oil refilled the hoses and or filter. From some posts in other threads it appears this has happened on occasion.

Exactly. Keep your remote unit "downhill" from your oil intake source and return point.

 

[y-knot]

I personally don't see why you should see any drop, and if I installed one and there was a 20-30 psi drop in pressure of before and after readings I'd throw that thing in the weeds.

I installed the dual mount by-pass and experienced zero drop just like it should be. If you have a drop you must have used way to small size on oil lines, I used AN-10 both feed and return side. Why would any one put a device on there engine that resulted in a lower oil pressure, you would have to be stupid!.

 

[AKaiser]

I personally don't see why you should see any drop, and if I installed one and there was a 20-30 psi drop in pressure of before and after readings I'd throw that thing in the weeds.

I installed the dual mount by-pass and experienced zero drop just like it should be. If you have a drop you must have used way to small size on oil lines, I used AN-10 both feed and return side. Why would any one put a device on there engine that resulted in a lower oil pressure, you would have to be stupid!.

It's only been a problem since 04 model year. I had no problems on my 99 gasser, either.

 

[amsoilman]

#ad




This is a CUT-A-WAY view of the inside of the BMK-15 By-Pass system. This system flows the entire flow of Engine oil through it at a high flow rate and full pressure. The flow to and from the BMK-15 is through the two 1/2 inch hoses.



If you notice, the inlet side (towards the front of Picture) has a spring loaded valve that restricts the flow of oil to the "FULL-FLOW" oil filter. This restriction keeps the oil pressure up so there is no loss of pressure to the system.

However, as has already been stated, the later model Dodges with the Cummins Engines utilize a "Funky" oil pressure indicating system that is very sensitive, and in SOME cases can show LOW Pressure or NO Pressure in the system. Amsoil did some extensive testing with Dodge, and found there was NO LOSS of pressure, but the indication was showing a LOSS of pressure, so Amsoil Inc. decided they would recommend the BMK-11 (single remote) where the flow of oil is very slow to and from the BMK-11 filter assembly, but oinly on the 04' and later models, as those were the models that have the "funky" indicating system. .



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[6speed]

I posted this thread and I was reading the pressure from a mechanical, not an electric gauge and not the factory guage

 

[JH8128]

The BMK11 is the one that is recomended for your 2004 truck. If I remember right the BMK11 was developed for this reason (lowered oil pressure) with the single filter it works great. I have one installed on my 2004 and I have seen no drop in oil pressure. Good Luck

 

[brods]

Wayne, thanks for the post, its starting to make some sense now. At first I thought you mis-posted, blocking the flow of oil to the main filter sounded so wrong it must be a mistake, but now I'm assuming the spring loaded valve is needed to create back pressure to force oil to flow through bypass element, correct? The downside will be the spring will keep the "oil pressure up" by preventing the flow of oil to the engine until the pressure is high enough to compress the spring. The action of this valve is likely the cause of the oil pressure faults on the newer trucks, yes?



Wow... . seeing how important oil at startup is, so much so that even you guys are selling a preluber attachment..... to design a product that can actual delay oil flow to the engine at startup seems counter productive. If a significant amount of engine wear occurs at startup, then anything that delays the oil to the engine, even for the shortest of moments, has to add to engine wear. I can understand the desire to have a easier install by not having to run a third oil line from the bypass filter outlet to the oil pan (or other low pressure zone), but duh! Keep the valve, swap the bypass and full filter locations and then run the bypass outlet to the pan and you'll have a much better and safer product!



As far as the extensive testing, where are the facts? There is no explanation of the test procedure or who the qualified DCX representative was that supposedly gave the thumbs up. Was it a DCX engineer at the CTC using multiple pressure taps or was it an oil change kid at a local Dodge dealership using a single analog pressure gage?



Even if the test was totally legit, that still leaves questions unanswered. If the oil pressure is really ok then why does it trip up the computer? Still have not heard a logical explanation of this. Why doesn’t it happen on trucks with the stock oil filter? Are we supposed to believe the DCX or Cummins engineers who programmed the ECM to recognize an oil pressure fault didn’t know what they were doing?



Oh by the way 6speed, in case they haven't told you enough times, the BMK-15 is not recommended for your truck! :-laf