Re: What is oil pressure gauge telling me?

[Andrew Duane USG/PE <duane@zk3.dec.com>]

Hairy green toads from Mars made dfox say:

> Dear partners in pleasure/masochism <g>,
> 
> The oil pressure gauge in my '90 100 (5 cyl. engine) is trying 
> to tell me something. I would like to understand its language a 
> little better so that I can best repond to the message.
> 
> Once the engine has warmed up and is idling (700-800 rpm or so), 
> the oil pressure is just less than 2 bar. With increased engine 
> revolutions, the oil pressure increases to just below 5 bar at, 
> say, 3500 revolutions per minute or so. 
> 
> The oil in the engine currently has experienced 2000 miles or
> so. Is something sort of bad happening or am I just concerning
> myself with gibberish?

That's just about right. After the oil is warm, it will have much
less pressure at idle then at revs. This is about the same reading
as both of my cars get.

If the pressure doesn't get up past 4 bar at revs, then you are
either low on oil, or the oil has lost its viscosity and should
be changed (don't wait for this to change it).

If it doesn't drop at idle when warm, it may be a blocked line
or pump somewhere.

-- 

Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7)			duane@zk3.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation		(603)-881-1294
110 Spit Brook Road
M/S ZKO3-3/U14
Nashua, NH    03062-2698

Only my cat shares my opinions, and she's too heavy to care.