'98 OBW with a '95 EJ22 engine, about 200K on engine. Castrol GTX 10W30, Bosch filter. 

 

Oil pressure light began flickering at hot idle.  Car sat for a couple of weeks (hydraulic hose for clutch blew!) Problem was much worse after sitting... could only make it 1/2 way though my commute before warning light came on at idle. 

 

Changed the oil and filter to remove fuel dilution as a possibility. No change. 

 

Changed oil pressure sensor switch. No more warning light (yes, I did connect the wire ;-) 

 

Decided to check oil pressure thinking that maybe replacement switch just has a lower pressure trip threshold.  

 

I temporarily installed a aftermarket mechanical gauge. 

Hot: barely moves needle off end stop at idle, prob 10 psi?   37PSI at 2000 rpm, 62PSI at 4000 rpm.  (both of which are higher than the Haynes manual specs) 

 

OK/normal ? Oil pump backing screws falling out? Engine totally borked? 

 

 

 

10-12 psi at idle is correct. Should have at least 10 psi more per 1,000 rpm.

How long had the engine been running when you saw those pressures?

 

You need a guage wih a more accurate scale to really see what it's doing at idle.

With that kind of mileage, 10-14psi at idle is normal.  So are your other readings.

 

If the engine was borked, it would be making "Bork! Bork! Bork! (think Swedish Chef) noises. 

 

You should be all good.  That said, eventually the front main seal will lose flexibility and suck air.  This reduces oil pressure.  The backing screws loosening up reduces oil circulation. 

 

Emily

If the engine was borked, it would be making "Bork! Bork! Bork! (think Swedish Chef) noises.

 

 LOL That's my new sig line.

Thanks for your responses. Readings were taken after about 45min of suburban driving, maybe 10min to pull the alternator and screw the gauge in, restart and measure. 

 

My gauge doesn't really have good resolution down there.... I was getting freaked out about the light and bought what was on hand out of desperation. Lowest gradation is around 12psi, and about all I can say is "it's less than 12psi, but the replacement 3-9 PSI oil pressure switch is not tripping" 

 

http://169.198.1.105/gauges-and-gauge-accessories/oil-pressure-gauge/equus-black-bezel-oil-pressure-gauge/255978_0_0/

 

I guess I'll let it ride. 

 

Nathan 

You might check with a local parts store and see if you can rent a pressure guage set.

On the day the light was blinking I asked at Autozone about gauges and the counterperson seemed totally confused. "A screw in oil pressure gauge for diagnostic work." He also seemed completely befuddled by me asking for an 1/8" NPT to BSPT adaptor.  At O'Reilly's, I asked for an "add on oil pressure gauge." Guy looked confused. "You know, an aftermarket oil pressure gauge. Like the ones hanging on the pegboard over there" (Points to pegboard directly behind counterperson.)  

 

Sheesh! It's not like I'm trying to find a wheel bearing for the Lunar Rover or something. 

 

I see Amazon has a test gauge set for $30 someodd.  Maybe worth getting, or maybe I'll just keep my ears peeled for "borking" noises per Emily. 

 

 

 

Yeah most people look at you funny if you ask for a BPT adapter.

 

Kinda not really surprised that someone at a parts store wouldn't know what an oil pressure guage is.

Yeah, they're basically sales clerks.  I asked Autonation's main parts guy about cam phasers on an EJ25 turbo engine yesterday and he had no idea what I was talking about!  Pretty sad.