Oil pressure gauge....fluttering?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
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Oil pressure gauge....fluttering? Recently I noticed that my oil pressure is fluttering between 30 and 40 during idle. It only occurs after the engine has warmed up and I am in drive. By the way I have an 02 ws6 with 51k. Is my oil pump going bad?
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 855
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From: Omahaish. Nebraska.
First thing's first. Is the car an auto or stick? Once warm, an auto will always have slightly lower pressure than a stick, due to lower idle speed. Secondly, how long has it been since there was an oil and filter change, plus what filter are you using? Some do show lower pressure than others because they don't flow as well. How much oil is in the engine can slightly affect that too.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 177
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It is an auto. It has been about 3 months since I changed the oil but I have only put maybe 500 miles on it. I have been using Fram oil filters. Also, the oil pressure needle bounces back and forth. Thanks.
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Omahaish. Nebraska.
Fram is known for being horrible, and even though the mileage on the oil is old, I'd change it. Always good to follow the 3 month/3k miles thing. Auto's will read lower. Mine's an auto and stays at about 30 when warm with 110k. As long as it doesn't go below 20 when warm you should be ok. I'd say ditch the fram filter though and get a k&n or napa gold. They seem to be the best ones for our engines.
