High/low and otherwise scary oil pressure [Merged 3-9]

[Bluefire16]

Ok so ive read a number of different threads but have not come up with much. I have checked my connection to my pressure regulator and the switch. I have connected it and disconnected it, talked to 3 different people. One is currently attending a mechanic school, the other works at a quick lube, and lastly another is a respected dsm member with 3 different dsm's with 450whp each. I have spoken to all of them and have not come up with much, here are the pics. THe first one, oil pressure when car is warm and just sitting and idling. THe second is on the highway going 70mph. It drops soon as im off the gas. I understand my oil pressure should not be this high, any reasons why?
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[1timehondalover]

There's nothing better than a good old fashioned check with a mechanical gauge at the oil filter housing to see what's truly going on with your oil pressure. If you can't do that I would first check the wire on the sending unit. If you say that the oil pressure has been fluctuating you may have some corrosion or a loose connection. Also, oil pressure sending units tend to read low as they age.

Has your "idiot light" flashed at you during any of these low pressure occurrences?

 

[epic fail]

I believe when you're leaking enough oil you can lose pressure at idle, we had a 1.8 laser back in the day and it did the same thing once the oil leak got big enough. Surely enough the engine locked up before the end of the month

 

[badabing33a]

Yea my oil pump just seized up after having those problems. sounds exactly the same. now i need a new engine. but could be something stupid like a bad connection.

 

[PandaTalon]

Yea my oil pump just seized up after having those problems. sounds exactly the same. now i need a new engine. but could be something stupid like a bad connection.

same thing with me my gauge was readin on the low side and now i got a knock so its time for a JDM 6-bolt

 

[DSM1G90]

Thing we have to watch out for with our turbos is that they are more loosely built - the tolerances are much looser - than the tighter NT's and the 1.8's, which can get away with the lighter 10w/30 and down to the 0w/30 oils.

Thus, we have to run the heavier oil - a recommended 15w/40 or 20w/50.

-DSM

 

[garrek11]

ok well i checked under my engine and it had crap everywhere so i cleaned it all off and doing so a wire that is connected right beside my oil filter popped off and i cant figure out where it plugs back into. I know what it is i just cant find the plugin area.

 

[DSM1G90]

If it's a long looking connector, it goes on the pressue sender, a small one, on the idiot light sender. If both are hooked up, then can't help you there.

 

[garrek11]

ya its about 3 1/5inch long it just hangs there its bothering me and when it unpluget i have no reading on my guage but i new that was gonna happen. i just need to figure out where it goes i have no lift so its kind of hard to see.

 

[garrek11]

where is the pressure sender located? Pictures?

 

[1timehondalover]

The sending unit is on the oil filter housing near the harmonic balancer. I have no pics.

 

[Jeff99GS]

How many miles you got on the engine?

Low oil pressure can be from age. The main and rod bearings wear over time causing the clearances to get larger. Once the clearance opens up the oil has less resistance and pours out around the bearings quicker and with less pressure.

Could just be a worn out engine.

 

[lacroixdp]

It looks almost like a button and that long connector just slides on there. Make sure both connectors are spotless. On your oil filter housing, it will be the bigger of the two sensors.

 

[garrek11]

no wonder why i couldnt find it that connecter was jimmy riged on there. but i got it to work now thanks. umm ya when i bought my car a couple months ago the engine was rebuilt it had 180,000 on the engine before. i took off the valve cover to put a new gasket on and everything inside looked spottless.

 

[dan2288]

I see about 40-45 psi cruising at 3k. My bs are removed. I just switched to royal purple 10-40. Its about 10 psi at idle. Is this too low. Those numbers are when the car is fully warmed up. When I first start it up, its like 90 psi.

 

[Mrdrd_Laser]

Numbers seem right to me. Mine is around 75-80 on startup and 15 while cruising

 

[92AWDHX40]

That seems normal for our cars, mine doesnt get up there until higher rpms, ill see how she does, when i get a aftermarket gauge. I also have my balance shafts out, looking for a bit more pressure. It already accelerates a bit more. I wouldnt worry to much.

 

[slugo17]

Mine was the same way, when I bought the aftermarket gauge I was kind of worried because 10 psi seems very low to a former Chevy man, but that sounds about right for you.

 

[GST_Hatchback]

So i got this 96 gst and the guy told me the oil pressure gauge didnt work. I didnt really let it stop me from getting it because the engine sounds great and isnt ticking at all. Well I figured it was just the sending unit. So I get under there and start checking it out and a wire is broke. So i put a new wire on and stuck it on the sending unit. Long story short I have voltage from my wire and on the post of the sending unit...BUT i was told by somebody that if your sending unit is bad it will read FULL pressure and I dont have any????

 

[Black95awd]

Sounds like the sender may be dead. Try a different sender.

 

[GST_Hatchback]

Sounds like the sender may be dead. Try a different sender.

is there any way of testing it cause I've been to all the auto parts stores and they have to order one and it costs like $60

 

[Black95awd]

Ill see if I have one, if I do just paypal me the shipping and Ill mail it out.

 

[EagleTalon1993]

You might want to test the guage by grounding the sensor lead with the ignition switch in the on position but engine not running, The guage should then go all the way over if that works then go for the sending unit.

 

[GST_Hatchback]

You might want to test the guage by grounding the sensor lead with the ignition switch in the on position but engine not running, The guage should then go all the way over if that works then go for the sending unit.

sorry if I dont get this right but youre telling me to take the wire thats plugged into the sending unit and ground it then my gauge should show full..right???

 

[EagleTalon1993]

You got it just make sure the keyswitch is in the on position with the engine not running and the guage should go all the way over from left to right

 

[GST_Hatchback]

You got it just make sure the keyswitch is in the on position with the engine not running and the guage should go all the way over from left to right

well I did that and no luck...so does that mean the problem is in my gauge?