sean byrd

Car is a '02 T/A with a4. Stock besides catback and 81k miles. On the way home from work while being stuck in traffic I noticed the oil pressure gauge dropped to about 25psi while idling. Now I know the factory gauges aren't the most accurate but I've never seen mine go that low. While cruising around 1600rpm it stays constant at just over 40psi and if I get on it the gauge will go up a little more past 40. Pulling back into my driveway and idling it stayed at 40psi but the gauge was flickering. It hasn't even been 3k since my last oil change(Mobil 5w30 and Mobil filter) and I've always babied this car. Is this a sign my engine is on its way out?

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

It's more likely a sign that your oil pressure sending unit is on its way out.

perezpowerbuilders

+1 check your oil sending unit..changed mine out after 238k miles. Oil pressure rock solid at 40psi now

GOAT377

They commonly go out. Just replaced mine 👍. It had oil leaking through into the electric connector and wasn't reading anything.

RockinWs6

I had a sender die while driving once, freaked me out pretty good but the engine was quiet so I knew pretty quick it was just the sender. Sure sucks to change them out though.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

I still have scars on my forearms. (It was a lot easier the 2nd and 3rd time I had to do it after putting in crappy "new" sensors.) :Z

sean byrd

is there a spot above the oil filter where I can put a sender for a mechanical guage?

TA_Freak

Yes. I haven't gotten around to doing mine but I have the part which is GM 12577903. Pretty sure there are HowTos on this board. You have to drill and tap the part. I changed my oil pump thinking that was that was my problem only to find that it's likely the sender. If my sound system is hitting hard and I see my voltage drop, the oil pressure drops with it. I'm just going to relocate mine to that location as opposed to going mechanical.