Low oil pressure (HELP!)

[AWD 4G63]

Its strange, the car runs ok, the gauge reads very low oil pressure, and when I start driving, or rev it, the gauge reads up to the 1st line. I'm talking about one a 91 cluster. The engine also lacks power. I've drove another stock AWD TSi and that pulled like a beast, mine is not as powerful.... I've been told numberous times its the oil pump, but I want the opinion of you guys before buying such an expensive part. It goes for about $200 at the local auto parts stores around me.

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[ddavisaf]

Cold start your oil pressure can reach over 100 psi. At idle 11psi is normal.
Get an oil pressure gauge so you can more accurately read the exact oil pressure. That will allow you to see if the oil pump is functioning correctly, or if you have a clogged oil passage.

 

[AWD 4G63]

Would a clogged oil line or a faulty oil pump be the cause of such power loss?

 

[ddavisaf]

Power loss could be contributed to numerous things. Clogged air filter, clogged cat, clogged fuel filter, etc. etc. etc.
I would worry less about the loss of power at the moment and make sure you're oil pressure is within an acceptable range. Loss of oil will do more damage than a loss of power.

 

[ddavisaf]

Stupid Edit post button is taking to long....

Could a clogged oil line or bad oil pump contribute to loss of power? Possibly yes.

Here is what I would go through and check.
Spark plugs -NGK BPR6ES gapped at .028"
Wires -nice and new
Air Filter- Clean
Fuel Filter- Not clogged or rusty
Cat- If you have one, make sure it's not clogged
Injectors- They could be clogged
Boost Leaks - http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html
Timing- Check it and make sure you haven't skipped or jumped timing

All of those can contribute to loss of power.

 

[AWD 4G63]

Thanks, I really appreciate!

, just got out of class, and now I'm going back to work on the car.

The day just never ends.

Thanks Again!

 

[project_tsi]

When your car is cold, and you start it up for the first time in the morning, what does it read? I have the same symptoms that you are telling us, but in the morning, when cold, my pressure is over the half way mark, then as it warms up it drops, but when I drive, it always goes a small bit past the first line. I know the stock guages, and sending unit can go bad and give faulty readings, which is why I'm in the process of installing a mechanical oil pressure guage w/in the next week.

 

[AWD 4G63]

When your car is cold, and you start it up for the first time in the morning, what does it read? I have the same symptoms that you are telling us, but in the morning, when cold, my pressure is over the half way mark, then as it warms up it drops, but when I drive, it always goes a small bit past the first line. I know the stock guages, and sending unit can go bad and give faulty readings, which is why I'm in the process of installing a mechanical oil pressure guage w/in the next week.

Yea, When I start it cold, the gauge will read a bit over the first line. Once warm, it will give me a very low reading, once I start driving or revving the motor it will move past the 1st line, but not too much. It just reads a lil bit over the first line.

I'm hoping its just the oil pressure sending unit or the gauge cluster... Let me know what happened with you situation, Thanks Bro!

 

[project_tsi]

I will let you know how it works out in a few days. I used to be very worried about it too, but after ready a few threads on how the sending units and gauges and shit go bad and mess up alot on 1G's, I started to think my oil pressure is fine. Im still going to hook up to the guage, b/c I want a number reading for my oil pleasure.

 

[Defiant]

Start with the wiring to the sensor, then check into replacing the pressure sensor.