Oil pressure and checking level?

[dgraves]

New owner of 1974 2.0L. When checking the oil, do you check cold or hot? Also, what is the common oil pressure? Much appreciated.

[Mats]

When cold, its got a normal sump, not like a 911 dry sump that needs to be hot when checking the level.

[dgraves]

Thank you, Matt. Any input on proper oil pressure?

[beatnavy]

What I've seen as a rule of thumb is 10 psi per 1000 RPM, possibly less as the oil gets hot.

[dgraves]

Thank you very much. My "new" 914 seems to be doing great.

Originally Posted by beatnavy

What I've seen as a rule of thumb is 10 psi per 1000 RPM, possibly less as the oil gets hot.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You do not want the oil pressure to go below 10 PSI per 1000 RPM. Fresh engines will tend to make more pressure than this, tired ones about this or less. High RPM and idle can be exceptions; there is a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure gets too high so the pressure won't go up as quickly with RPM over a certain point. And the oil light can flicker on at warm idle without much worry--it's just if it stays on steady that you really need to panic.

--DD