Two days ago when I pull power to idle abeam the number for landing the oil pressure warning light came on. I added a little power and the oil pressure came back up. After searching the internet I learned three possible causes and oil pressure relief valve seat damage is the most likely one for me. After removing the valve a plastic gasket fell out after the ball. The gasket is broken.

This morning I went to Daytona Aircraft Services and tried to buy a replacement. They could not find this part. The part guy introduced me to a mechanic and he said that he never seen this gasket before. After comparing the Lycoming engine sitting on his bench with my ECi (based on my memory) I was convinced that the gasket was placed there by mistake. It served no purpose. However, when it broke, it was stuck between the seat and the ball and created a leak, thus the lower pressure. They gave me a crash washer and sent me off.

After checking the ball and seat I put the relief valve back and safety wired it. The initial test engine run showed 50 psi after engine start. Putting cowling back on and did two touch and goes oil was always in the normal range. Now problem solved.