Loss of oil pressure

Bob Krehbiel · 02-15-2007, 05:27 PM

When I turn to the right or come to a stop, I loose oil pressure in my '88 944. Is there a baffle or a "fix" for the problem?

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

There is a baffle some put in oil pans if they track thier car that is suppose to help with turning hard and loss of oil pressure but that is only necessary for severe turning. I have never heard of that during a stop. Sounds like you may have a problem with your engine. I would put a manual oil pressure gauge on it to verify what you are seeing is correct and if so, then I don't think you are going to like what would be the right thing after that. Could be bearings or an oil pressure relief valve.

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

Probably an electrical problem if it only happens when you do what you describe. Check the wiring that goes to the sender infront of the exhaust manifold.

Bob Krehbiel · 02-16-2007, 06:11 AM

It is definitely mechanical because I can hear the hydraulic lifters lose oil pressure. There is definitely something wrong with the oil pickup, because the engine works fine any other time - adequate oil pressure. Who knows what kind of maintenance, or use, this poor car had before we got it! I guess I will have to pull the oil pan and start there. Thanks for your help - I will keep you posted.

jwade944 · 02-16-2007, 08:20 AM

Torque the crankshaft bolt on the front of the engine to spec. It seems like it is 220 Newton Meters. It sounds like the oil pump is slipping and at low rpm's cannot maintain oil pressure. If you did the belts recently, this torque can be overlooked.

Bob Krehbiel · 02-16-2007, 08:46 AM

Thanks, I'll check those out.

jwade944 · 02-16-2007, 09:55 AM

Also, 88 engines already have the updated oil pan baffle.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I was thinking the 88's did and I think even the 87s but I am not sure when it was added. jwade, do you know when those were included from the factory?

jwade944 · 02-16-2007, 08:21 PM

I'm not sure either. It seems like I heard that they changed over in mid 87.

HondaDustR · 02-16-2007, 08:44 PM

Is the presence of the low oil level sensor an indicator of an updated oil pan?

jwade944 · 02-17-2007, 06:41 AM

Yes. The sensor was added in 1988. The 1988 pan also adds around one quart of capacity. I'm not sure, but I believe that the dipstick is different. I have a 1988 engine in my 87 924S, so I just don't hook up the sensor as there is no light on the dash for it. Since I race the car and I have blown two engines with #2 rod bearing failures, I just added additional baffles from Lindsey Racing. The 88 (with 88 baffle) engine that is in the car now only has 48000 miles on it. The person I bought it from ran 8 DE events with it. When I put it in, I checked the #2 bearing and it was badly scored, so if you track these cars, be very careful. I have always run an accusump, but now only use it to preoil at start-up. In a race, the oil pressure drops as the engine gets hot and I think the Accusump overfills the engine and causes the oil to foam.

onZedge · 02-17-2007, 07:22 AM

My '87 924S has provisions for an oil level sensor and the FSM schematic wiring diagram shows the oil level sensor as an option. Does this mean I have the updated (baffled) oil pan?

Also, does anybody know what the oil flow rate is. I'm thinking it must be at least a couple of oil sump volume changes per minute. Why? I'm thinking the level sensor location should be ideal for an oil temperature sensor.

HondaDustR · 02-17-2007, 04:52 PM

So that means I have the updated baffles if I got the oil level sender (still a little confused..)?

There isn't a separate light for the level sender, it just flashes the idiot light when the level reaches the lower line on the dipstick.

Bob Krehbiel · 02-23-2007, 10:01 AM

Ok. I checked the crankshaft bolt and it is torqued to spec. JWADE - is there a website for the special baffles that you installed? I am going to tear into it this weekend and I have to do something. To all of you - thanks for the assist

jwade944 · 02-23-2007, 10:14 AM

www.lindseyracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LR&Category_Code=PANBAF

I don't think the baffle is your problem, but this is what I used in my race car. When you drop the pan, look carefully at the oil pickup. they have been known to crack. Also, be sure to replace the o-ring on the pickup with a new one. I took my pan and pickup to a local machine shop and they charged me $60 to weld in the Lindsey baffle and pickup ring. Good luck with this. Sorry it wasn't the bolt torque - that's easy to fix.

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

You have the updated pan if you have a smooth and round center section in the bottom finned portion of the oil pan. To my knowledge, the oil lever sensor was done in stages and if you check your VIN or maybe engine number you can match it up to the numbers given in the Porsche PET book or ask the dealer for the bulletin. To my knowledge it was a mid '87 thing.. my '87 has both.

The baffle is defenetley not your issue. You need to look at the oil pickup tube or the OPRV. Dont drive the car like this or you will probably spin a rod bearing.

Edik, ideally the best spot for a oil temp sensor is right after the cooler where its heading back into the block. The oil pan is much easier to tap into though and is not a bad spot either. You can either drill and tap the drain plug for a temp sensor (what i did) or drill and tap the plug on the left (drivers) side of the oil pan.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

The sensor was added before 88 as both my 87 motors have it and I think even my 86 had it as well.

I agree with Techno Duck, it's not the baffle, it's the pickup tube or the OPRV or possibly some other problem.

Bob Krehbiel · 02-24-2007, 10:48 AM

I had been wondering if it wasn't connected to the pick up. It is sounding more and more like that. It definetely has the new style pan. I have it up on jacks and my wife is back to driving her pickup truck until I have resolved the problem. With it snowing and hovering around 32 degrees, she is actually perfectly content to be driving the 4x4 right now. I don't need to be fixing anything else that can be prevented!!!!!! Thanks for the info and I will keep you posted on what I find.