Oil Pressure???

Jacko · 03-19-2003, 11:40 AM

When I start the car in the morning the oil pressure is good, but after about 60 seconds the pressure drops down to about "1" and stays right around there even when I rev up the engine. The car also burns about a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Oil temperature always looks good, never hot. Is it time for some major engine work??????? Thanks, Jacko

tryan · 03-19-2003, 11:57 AM

check your oil pressure with a cheap MECHANICAL gauge. if you still get low readings , you do have a problem. if you get good readings, you might need a new sender.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

Before you tear the engine apart, check for broken pressure relief springs and/or stuck pistons. Might save you a rebuild.

A quart every 1000 miles is pretty high! Are you sure it's not leaking out?

Good luck!
BK

Jacko · 03-23-2003, 12:31 PM

If the oil pressure was low wouldn't the oil pressure warning light go on?????

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jacko
If the oil pressure was low wouldn't the oil pressure warning light go on?????

The oil pressure has to be really really low for the oil pressure light to come on.
-Chris

Ron Broman · Ron Broman's Garage

Hey Guys,
While we're talking oil pressure!! One week ago, I bought my 1st Porsche so I need some help! Let me give you some background and then ask a question.
The guy I bought my 1970 911T from, was explaining that the car ran good (it does seem to) but that you really had to watch the oil. OK, but the tank has no dip stick. He said, just watch the gage on the dash and it will tell you how much oil you have in your engine. Well I never had a porsche before so I said ...ok. That is the background.
Question; There is a gage on the dash that reads bottom to top 1-10. He said that measures quantity. What I'm reading in this thread, makes me think that that might just be an oil pressure gage. IS THIS A PRESSURE GAUGE OR A QUANTITY GAUGE? I am not new to engines, I worked on cars most of my life, and I have never had a gage that takes the place of checking my oil.
I know the tank is supposed to have a dipstick, but this particular tank has a 45degree bend in the filler neck, which my guess was installed with the aftermarket A/C( which is being removed).

john walker's workshop · 03-25-2003, 06:40 PM

actually, a quart in 1000 miles is pretty good. it's when it gets to a quart in 300, that the writing's on the wall.
probably a sender problem. it should go 1 bar for every 1000 RPM, up to about 4 bar hot.
ron, the gauges are left to right; fuel, oil level, oil temp, oil pressure. the oil tank has a float just like a gas tank, and it works a gauge. the gauge and the dipstick both show approx. the top 2 quarts of the entire volume. most folks leave the level in the center of the two marks on the dipstick. that should relate to the center of the gauge if it is accurate. trust the dipstick first. the level will read the highest when the engine is at operating temp, at idle for a minute, and on a level surface. this is the only time you should check the oil level, or add any oil. never check and add oil with the engine cold, or not running.

tryan · 03-26-2003, 03:53 AM

sounds like we have a new meaning for IPO. idiot previous owner.

the 1-10 gauge should be oil pressure gauge.

my level gauge is marked 5-8 (72t without an external cooler). the gauge is accurate, but not trusted. you may not have an oil level gauge. what car and options? i believe this is a 's' intrumentation option on my car.

you do need to get/make/borrow the proper dipstick for your car asap. the IPO might have dropped it in the tank. follow johns procedure for checking oil level. if you do have external oil cooler(s) , make sure the oil is hot before checking.