Oil pressure dropping

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Jan 17, 2017 | 05:18 PM

sean byrd

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Launching!

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From: Martinsburg, WV

Oil pressure dropping

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?

Jan 18, 2017 | 03:30 AM

RPM WS6

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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean byrd

Is this a sign my engine is on its way out?

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

Jan 18, 2017 | 08:10 PM

perezpowerbuilders

Staging Lane

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: kyle texas

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

Jan 18, 2017 | 09:39 PM

GOAT377

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Joined: Jan 2017

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From: Independence, Mississippi

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

Jan 19, 2017 | 02:17 PM

RockinWs6

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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.

Jan 19, 2017 | 09:24 PM

wssix99

Save the manuals!

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From: Chicago, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinWs6

Sure sucks to change them out though.

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

Jan 21, 2017 | 06:14 PM

sean byrd

Thread Starter

Launching!

Joined: Jul 2016

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From: Martinsburg, WV

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

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Feb 2, 2017 | 03:00 PM

TA_Freak

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Joined: Nov 2011

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From: Woodstock, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean byrd

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

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.