Car has 275000 miles on it, had worn bearings so much it was causing some knocking. Just rebuilt the engine a week ago. The only issue at the time was that the fuel purge solenoid got broken. Replaced that and the CEL went away. Came back on after a drive or two with a misfire on cylinders 2 and 4 both. Pulled the covers off and discovered it was out of time by a tooth (assuming it jumped timing, so planning to get a new tensioner already), pulled off the valve cover on that side to be certain we had tightened down the cam caps and they were good. Between a too loose oil pressure sending unit (it's been tightened now) and taking off the valve covers, I lost a little over a half quart of oil. Topped it back up and started it up and the oil light is coming on.

 

Now here's the mystery - it doesn't SOUND like it has low oil pressure.

 

The question: Does anyone know a good way for me to check the oil pressure with a gauge? Maybe a compression tester? Or do I just have to disconnect the coil, remove the sending unit, and crank it to verify that it makes a mess?

 

Thanks.

Remove the sending unit and connect a guage there in its place.

It's a Metric thread so you do need a BPT thread adapter to connect most guages. A NPT thread adapter will not work.

Would a compression tester work as a guage? Will one of the adapters included in the kit work or will I need to find another adapter?

 

Thanks.

You should use an actual oil pressure guage.

Call your local parts store. Many times you can rent a pressure guage set. A decent set should include the correct adapter.

A compression tester might be okay, it just won't be quite as accurate at lower pressures

Don't know what caused it.... got a tester and it ended up being perfect. Reinstalled the sending unit and the light was gone. Oh well.

Remove the sending unit and connect a guage there in its place.

It's a Metric thread so you do need a BPT thread adapter to connect most guages. A NPT thread adapter will not work.

 

I've threaded an NPT 1/8th pipe thread gauge in for testing.

 

Grabs about 2 1/2 threads......So it doesn't damage the threads, I don't crank it totally tight. It will leak a tad at the base, but still should register near 100 psi at start up.