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1G Oil pressure too low?

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SeriozHenka

Probationary Member
22
8
Mar 30, 2023
Watertown, Wisconsin
I'm new to dsms, and it doesnt help that the stock guages suck, but should I be worried about this? This is warm after driving for about 20 minutes, I'm running 5w30 as the car calls for, its a bone stock 1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD. I worry because my oil pressure started to drop right after I got home, and I know it warms up and gets thinner, but what does this on the guage actually mean? I know its normal to have about 12 Psi while warm at idle, so
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This is my car at idle warm, also a 90 by the way:rocks:. My dummy gauge is a little higher than yours, and if you slow the video you can see my aftermarket oil pressure gauge reads about 28 psi, I’ve got no balance shafts, yours is probably around 20 or so which i wouldn’t think is too bad assuming you still have balance shafts? I would also check the wire connection at your oil pressure sending unit under the car:thumb:

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This is your oil pressure sending unit, check the connection for fun as this is what your factory dummy gauge goes off of, but as @DSMPT mentioned an aftermarket gauge is much more reliable, and If your oil pressure was dangerously low the “dummy” light would come on, how’s it look on the dip stick?
 

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The factory oil pressure gauge would tell you nothing more than if the pressure is lower or higher than usual. If you want to get rid of anxiety, I recommend to have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge. This would help you a lot mentally.
In case if the oil pressure is actually lower than min limit, you should have seen the pressure warning light comes on in dash. This means you have only approxi 7 psi or less just right after oil pump and may damage the engine.
If you are very worried, at idle when you think the oil pressure is low, remove the oil filler cap with the engine running and see if rocker arms are jetting oil strongly to cam lobe and rocker arm roller. If you can see that, the oil pressure is probably fine.
 
I have a 1990 Talon and my dash gauge reads less than half and my Aftermarket Oil Pressure Gauge reads 90.
Don't trust the factory gauge, put an aftermarket on so you will know the true pressure. I suggest, at least as a test, that you use a mechanical gauge. After you know for sure what pressure you have you may choose to get an afterrmarket brand, but get a good one, not a Ebay item.
 
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