I just got an 88 wagon 2wd 5 speed from Chef Tim and I really love this thing.I was at work tonight delivering pizza and I noticed at idle my oil pressure is at almost zero.I am going to change my oil tomorrow to see if this helps at all,but I was wondering if an oil pump in need of a reseal could cause this condition.Oh yeah at 2000 rpm and higher the gauge reads 45 psi.Thanks Dave.

I got the same problem! and noisy tappets (lifters). Would these be linked?

It's normal for the oil pressure to drop at idle. Also the guage, and the sending unit are not that accurate. Replace the sending unit if it's leaking, change the oil pump seals or possibly the whole pump, and run 20w50 (I prefer chevron myself).

 

GD

Thanks GD.I didn't even look to see if it was leaking,I thought I would get some answers.20-50 it is.Dave.

It LOOKS like zero on that guage, but that 0 line is actually about 8 PSI. If you notice and look REALLY close while its ideling, then shut off the engine completly, the nedel drops below that line.

 

Kinda scary but its all good. If your lifters are quiet then you have adequete pressure. Your pressure should build up siignificantly and be at 45 PSI output at 3,000 RPMs @ full running temp. Oil pressure will be a lot higher if the engine is cold.

 

GD is correct on the sending units; they really do suck. If you want a truely accurate oil pressure reading I would get you a real guage that doesnt use a crappy electric sending unit but one that routes oil upto the guage.

 

Peace

I noticed the same thing on ocassion.

 

I looked in my owners manuel and it said this was normal!

 

My .02

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer

01 Forester

i dont even look at the stock guage anymore. if you got 0 oil pressure, youl hear your valvetrain before your lower end