Oil pressure fluctuating...

[90CherryTSI]

I got a question, possible problem - at idle my oil pressure sits right around the second tick mark on the car, but when I get on it, it moves very close to the next tick mark before the far right one. Is it normal to have the needle move so much? I have a manual but it doesn't say anything about it moving back and forth like this. I have a MINOR oil leak but it has the right amount in the engine. What causes this? Faulty sending unit? Pump?

Thanks!

 

[Defiant]

I got a question, possible problem - at idle my oil pressure sits right around the second tick mark on the car, but when I get on it, it moves very close to the next tick mark before the far right one. Is it normal to have the needle move so much?

Yes. You own a DSM.

I have a manual but it doesn't say anything about it moving back and forth like this.

Of course not. Service departments will charge you $80 to tell you everything's fine.

I have a MINOR oil leak but it has the right amount in the engine. What causes this?

Taking the oil pressure reading right at the pump outlet.

Faulty sending unit?

Nope.

Pump?

Yup, but not faulty.

 

[90CherryTSI]

any other internal issues? Or is it "a dsm thing"? I haven't found many threads on high oil pressure...a few, but the post usually just trails off into never never land. Do you worry about it when it passes that second tick mark or just blow it off?

Thanks again

 

[kalla]

The stock oil pressure gauge is complete crap. About all it is good for is to let you know you have oil pressure greater than zero. If you're worried about oil pressure, start worrying when the gauge goes to zero (and even then the wire has probably fallen off the sending unit), otherwise, relax and enjoy your ride.