Scary high oil pressure, but its running

[bedinator]

Hi All,

After such posting as "White smoke and hard shifting" and "Where's all this oil coming from?" my 82 928 Euro was back on the road today. Something had caused the front main seal to come out of the block. I tore it down and put in a new seal and timing belt. After getting everything back together, I took her down to the car wash to clean off all that oil. The whole way there and back my oil pressure gauge was up at 5 (that's the highest number on my oil gauge). When I got home it would drop to 4 at idle, but that still seems high.

I'm worried that too high oil pressure is what popped out the main seal in the first place. What do other 928s run at for their oil pressure? Should I pull apart the pressure relief piston/spring thinggy?

Thanks for everyone's help and advice.

Regards,

[devilinblack]

While running it should be at 5 Bar. When hot and at idle mine sometimes drops to 2.5 to 3 bar, but that seems to be normal judging by everything I've read.

[MPDano]

Yup, mine drops to 2.5 or 3, but mine is an auto. My idle is pretty low when in gear.

[rhjames]

oil pressure should be at 5 on the gauge when above idle, running, etc... it may drop a little if the engine is well heated (water temp) or in hot climates.

as for the seal issue, I doubt high oil pressure would be the cause. High crankcase pressure (blowby) would be the suspect in causing this. 928 engines are bad about having high crankcase pressures due to blowby, and the venting is poor at best --in my opinion.

you can install an oil separator kit from several vendors to help with this (limiting oil consumption into the intake) and this may help with pressure relief a little bit.....

one thing you may want to check is cylinder sealing (compression and leakdown checks) to see if you may have a leaking headgasket or broken/worn piston rings. if you have either of these issues, and you are still running an air injection pump (smog pump), the pump may be pressurizing the crankcase as well.

(and be sure your recently installed crankshaft dampener bolt was correctly torqued!!!)

good luck---

--Russ

[bedinator]

Well, I took my little un-titled, un-registered 928 out for a pretty good drive and the oil psi does drop down once it gets good and hot. My test drives have been pretty short for the afore-mentioned legal reasons. I'll insure her and get an Oregon 21 day trip permit the 2nd week of May. I'm hoping that it will be good for the 500 mile trip to Sacramento where I hope to obtain title. Any tips to look out for before taking off on my trip (mechanically speaking)?

[Danglerb]

Did you flush brake fluid etc.?

Safety inspection?

AAA premier roadside service and long distance towing.

Have insurance, drive carefully, bring a laptop with wifi.

Maybe post details on the time etc. and see if any locals enroute PM with contact info.

Don't allow anything minor but annoying to spoil the fun of a 500 mile trip.

[MPDano]

Wow, aren't Cali cars a joy. I can't believe you have to go through all this to get a Title.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Wow, aren't Cali cars a joy. I can't believe you have to go through all this to get a Title.

I'm not sure its going to be enough.

I don't understand at all how Calif smog is treating grey market cars that have been registered in California in the past. I don't think any I have looked at pre 84 have had BAR stickers, yet they seem to pass the smog check.

[bedinator]

By brother lives in SoCal and is actually a used car dealer (SAAB's mostly). I broke down and asked him what he could find out for me at DMV. I didn't want to drag family into what might be the money pit.

Good call on the brake fluid - I'll ask the PO if he did that before I bother. Also good call on the AAA with towing - I won't be carrying a spare unless something changes in the next month.

Thanks again for the wisdom.

Regards,

[bedinator]

A trip through the local car wash taught me two things: First, don't take a 928 through the drive through car wash. Second, I had a loose wire on my oil pressure switch. The car wash knocked it off completely and the gauge pegged above 5. I fixed the wire and I'm getting good, normal pressure.
For those of you that can't fathom using an automatic car wash - it was 48 degrees and raining when I got home today. The brief bit of sun we saw yesterday gave me enough time for a drive through, but that's about it.

[Danglerb]

Car wash can mess up a 928, the anodizing on the wheels I think, but mostly a 928 is one of the lowest ground clearance cars around. Whats done is done, but I wouldn't do it again.

Any DMV news?

[bedinator]

Trip to Cali to visit DMV planned to start 1 week from today. Hopefully I'll be able to get things taken care of that Thursday and Friday before the 3 day weekend.

[MPDano]

Very cool. Have a fun and safe trip. Keep us posted.

[Danglerb]

You might be able to make an appointment so you don't have to wait so long in line.