0 psi on Oil Gauge at Idle

[Jordanbutter]

Yes I have read almost all LOW oil pressure threads, 7-10psi no big deal. Ok I get it, but my aftermarket gauge reads at or sometimes even below 0psi(don't quite get that one) @ 750rpm. I use only Royal Purple 10w-30, OEM Mitsu Blue Oil Filter, and sometimes even Lucas Synthetic Oil Stabilizer. When I gas it a little and bring the RPM to 1000 it goes to about 2-3 psi, however when driving the pressure is normal, 75~psi. The car has about 100,000 miles on it. So I'm guessing oil pump. But I just want to know that 0psi is for sure not "normal." Thank you.

- Jordan Butterfield

 

[99gst_racer]

Zero oil pressure is bad. I wouldn't even run the engine on that low of pressure.

Does the stock pressure gauge sweep in accordance with the aftermarket gauge?
Have you verified that it's not a malfunctioning gauge?

 

[DSM_Zak]

If the gauge is faulty, obviously replace it.

If not, I would drop the pan, check for any material in the oil.
How many miles on the car? motor? or oil pump in specific?

High milage would lean more towards a new oil pump.
However, there could be a bad gauge as stated above.

 

[V8KillerTSi]

If you have the gauge hooked on the head, you'll get really low pressure at idle, maybe 0. If it's on the oil filter housing, you have trouble. You should check with another gauge. If you're really getting 0psi, the low oil pressure light should turn on, if it's working.

 

[Jordanbutter]

Well the aftermarket pressure sender replaced the stock one so the stock gauge no longer works. So yes it is in the filter housing. The gauge is a crappy e-bay "Glow Shift" gauge, I don't believe it is malfunctioning as much as the fact that the sweep are actually goes outside of the numbered area tells me it might not be too accurate. However when it goes to below 0, I have a feeling it is 0. And the Motor, Oil Pump, Pan etc all has right about 100,000 miles on them.

 

[jemsoccer]

My guess would be a faulty gauge. They go bad pretty quick if they are bolted directly onto the oil pressure housing. You need a relocation kit that runs a stainless steel line from the oil housing to the oil sending unit that will now be mounted on the frame so it does not get as much vibration. How old is this unit?

Check to see if you are getting oil in the valve cover area. If it is shooting up there, then you're probably fine and just need a new gauge.

 

[Defiant]

See why manufacturers today either leave off oil pressure gauges, or else run fakes that show normal most of the time?
If you have oil circulating at idle, you have enough pressure. Plain bearings hold oil in: the reason we run pumps is to force out the oil and to keep a cool supply coming in.
If you're going to obsess about it, get a gauge that doesn't suck.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Interesting test BOB did on lucas oil stabilizer. Check it out ----> What about Additives?
Might be your problem...

 

[Gs Dewd]

Does the oil light come on? If not then the gauge is wrong.

 

[DSM1G90]

My rig does the same thing: on a cold start, the needle barely rises above the low mark. Then at full temp, the needle is at low line. During a drive, the needle rises to about inbetween low and the middle range.

As what Defiant mentions: as I take the oil cap off and see oil being slung around over the cams and everywhere, I figure that I got good enough pressure to keep things okey - no ticky lifters, turbo spools up great, no rod knocking..et.al. ..

..and it's been this way for quite the time. One of these days, I would like to change out the pressure sending unit and see if that's the problem area. Til then, not going to worry about it.

-DSM

 

[rs6bolt92laser]

Dont buy stuff off ebay and you get what you pay for

 

[Jordanbutter]

Dont buy stuff off ebay and you get what you pay for

Not always true, be careful.

The oil light doesn't come on. I know it works too so yeah I guess its not a problem. However on cold starts the needle is all the way up to 75psi so that is correct. So that is not a problem either. I just wanted to make sure since it is my DD/Weekend Warrior. I'd hate to blow it up at an autocross because I ignored my gauge, that I installed for precautionary measures. Thanks Guys.

- Jordan Butterfield