Oil Pressure Gauge Bounces around at Hot Idle
07-28-2016, 08:48 PM
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Oil Pressure Gauge Bounces around at Hot Idle Okay so I own a 1998 Z28 A4 w/ low miles.
Since my dad passed the car on to me I remember my car's oil pressure gauge would bounce around at Idle when HOT while I'm in D at a stop light for example.
I find it uncomfortable that the gauge bounces around from 20-40psi at times. It does it at least once every time I drive it.
The car currently has Mobil 1 5w30 with Mobil oil filter. Oil is around 2700 miles old.
Cold Idle - 45-55psi
Warm Idle - 35-40psi
Hot Idle - 20-35psi (Varies)
Cruising - 40psi at 1500k rpm
Please help!
I recorded this video earlier, HOT Idle at a stop light and the gauge wasn't really bouncing around.
This video was about 5 minutes after when I parked. I kept the car in D and the needle started bouncing around. Then I put it in Neutral and it stays stable.
Since my dad passed the car on to me I remember my car's oil pressure gauge would bounce around at Idle when HOT while I'm in D at a stop light for example.
I find it uncomfortable that the gauge bounces around from 20-40psi at times. It does it at least once every time I drive it.
The car currently has Mobil 1 5w30 with Mobil oil filter. Oil is around 2700 miles old.
Cold Idle - 45-55psi
Warm Idle - 35-40psi
Hot Idle - 20-35psi (Varies)
Cruising - 40psi at 1500k rpm
Please help!
I recorded this video earlier, HOT Idle at a stop light and the gauge wasn't really bouncing around.
This video was about 5 minutes after when I parked. I kept the car in D and the needle started bouncing around. Then I put it in Neutral and it stays stable.
Last edited by checo16; 07-29-2016 at 08:52 AM.
07-29-2016, 11:46 AM
#6
Just the ground from the block to the frame. There's a few, they're probably old and corroded by now. Can't hurt to add a new one/fresh one.
The sending unit is easy to replace, but difficult in the car, since its behind the intake manifold and there isn't a lot of space in an f-body.
This will give you an idea.
The sending unit is easy to replace, but difficult in the car, since its behind the intake manifold and there isn't a lot of space in an f-body.
This will give you an idea.
07-29-2016, 03:28 PM
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If you do happen to replace the oil sending unit, I can't speak for every auto parts store, but the usual ones all read 5-10psi low every time I've bought one. So the best way is to go is to go the the junkyard and pull one off of a truck and it will be a lot cheaper too. Especially if you use the pocket discount. Grab a couple though incase you happen to get a bad one.
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07-29-2016, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Deeohgie69
If you do happen to replace the oil sending unit, I can't speak for every auto parts store, but the usual ones all read 5-10psi low every time I've bought one. So the best way is to go is to go the the junkyard and pull one off of a truck and it will be a lot cheaper too. Especially if you use the pocket discount. Grab a couple though incase you happen to get a bad one.
07-29-2016, 08:14 PM
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I thought that maybe something happened to my engine because it had good oil pressure until I accidentally broke mine. Then after trying 3 different ones from the local auto parts stores I hooked a mechanical gauge up to see that the aftermarket ones were reading low. I freaked out too because I had just turned 19k miles on my car. Went to the junkyard and my oil pressure was back to normal.
07-29-2016, 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Deeohgie69
I would say an oem would, but I bet it's probably $70+.... junkyard is less than $5 to free
I thought that maybe something happened to my engine because it had good oil pressure until I accidentally broke mine. Then after trying 3 different ones from the local auto parts stores I hooked a mechanical gauge up to see that the aftermarket ones were reading low. I freaked out too because I had just turned 19k miles on my car. Went to the junkyard and my oil pressure was back to normal.
I thought that maybe something happened to my engine because it had good oil pressure until I accidentally broke mine. Then after trying 3 different ones from the local auto parts stores I hooked a mechanical gauge up to see that the aftermarket ones were reading low. I freaked out too because I had just turned 19k miles on my car. Went to the junkyard and my oil pressure was back to normal.
I think I'll be better by getting an oem online for cheaper because mine is a '98. I'm not sure if it's any different than '99-'02s.
I found one for $33 on gmpartsdirect dot com, the list price is $58. So it's not that bad