Oil gauge moving up and down when accelerated
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
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Guys,
my '95 has had fluctuating pressure for asme time, but it is getting worse, now floating between 40 to near 0 on the gauge. Seems good until it warms up then it is all over the place, with it generally going up when decelerating, but not always. I know the range is about 15 - 50 or so and what I am getting is low. I continually check level so the oil is good. I even when up a bit on the viscosity to see if that helped. It didn't. Would y'all recommend replacing the pump and the sending unit? Based on dhvaughn's comments above, I am certainly not looking forward to the latter.
Many thanks.
my '95 has had fluctuating pressure for asme time, but it is getting worse, now floating between 40 to near 0 on the gauge. Seems good until it warms up then it is all over the place, with it generally going up when decelerating, but not always. I know the range is about 15 - 50 or so and what I am getting is low. I continually check level so the oil is good. I even when up a bit on the viscosity to see if that helped. It didn't. Would y'all recommend replacing the pump and the sending unit? Based on dhvaughn's comments above, I am certainly not looking forward to the latter.
Many thanks.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Guys,
Further to my previous post, I noticed that the pressure fluctuations do not occur until I have driven it for a bit. If I am only in it for a few minutes, even when hot, it will read normal. I did also notice some oil around the base of the the sending unit when I was digging around trying to find it. Could be it is leaking. Based on above, that would result in fluctuating readings...is this correct? I think I will order a new sending unit to see what happens.
Further to my previous post, I noticed that the pressure fluctuations do not occur until I have driven it for a bit. If I am only in it for a few minutes, even when hot, it will read normal. I did also notice some oil around the base of the the sending unit when I was digging around trying to find it. Could be it is leaking. Based on above, that would result in fluctuating readings...is this correct? I think I will order a new sending unit to see what happens.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,482
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
Oil pressure senders are notorious leakers. They aren't the most accurate either.
As the engine warms, clearances open up, so, you see more pressure fluctuation vs. RPM. Perfectly normal. So long as you are over 10 PSI at idle, and it goes up around 10 PSI per 1000 RPM, (to a point....) everything is good.
As the engine warms, clearances open up, so, you see more pressure fluctuation vs. RPM. Perfectly normal. So long as you are over 10 PSI at idle, and it goes up around 10 PSI per 1000 RPM, (to a point....) everything is good.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
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Thanks Guys. I am using Fram, have since new. The gauge does not rise steadily with acceleration, but fluctuates even during normal HW driving. It will go from 40 to 10 or less, then back to 40 with no notable change in acceleration. Kind of scary really. I saw the recommendation for a mechanical gauge but I think I will just install a new sensor and see what happens. It is a pretty cheap item and looks awfully hard to get to. I know there is oil leaking from it so it can't be getting an accurate reading.
