[Vwdiesel] Low oil pressure?

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

>>very fluid motion, so it is somewhat suspect, but disconcerting none the 
less.
>>Please doublecheck my logic.

   Try putting the gauge on a car with known good pressure and compare. :-)

> >>If low oil pressure is confirmed at head and filter flange, then the 
> possible 
> >>sources of low OP are:
> >>Oil pump/relief valve

  Should belower but it could have a small piece of crud letting it bleed 
off pressure.

> >>Main bearings


  Usually in darn good shape except when oil changes have been 
neglected.  I and someone else had bad thrusts.

> >>Rod bearings

  Same as main bearings but tend to wear more if neglected.

> >>Cam bearings

  No such thing.  ;-)  Generally don't wear though

> >>Intermediate shaft bearings

  Most probable. They tend to start flaking babbit after 15 to 20 years.

> >>Turbo bearings (some play in shaft, so definitely suspect)

  Doubt it.  There should be just enough side play to tell it's there. 
End play is the bad one.  To dump pressure it'd about have to be 
sloppy enough to detonate.

> >>Did I miss anything?


  Plugged oil filter???  Worn pump.

> >>What's the deal with swapping the intermediate shaft bearings?
> 

  Just like cam bearings in a V-8 only some fit when done and some 
need honed to fit.  Easiest way to do them is with a cam bearing tool 
which has a rubber donut between two washers so to speak.  Crank 
and it squishes the rubber to hold the bearings then beats in.
     Loren