Oil pressure Worries

[TinyGoliath]

So I just picked up the 96 tsi fwd with 134k on it. Now I did a full fluid change when I got it. Now that I've been driving it around when I come to idle it will drop down to 600 and recover to1200rpm. At rpms less than 1000 the oil light will illuminate / flicker. Oil level is slightly above full after the fresh change of syn. 10w30 and new filter. Car is mechanically stock outside of a manual boost control and clutch. I've read some saying that it needs a rebuild and am hoping there are other solutions to try first because I don't have the means to rebuild it.

 

[TinyGoliath]

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Mine looks similar to this image, With the sensor for the light and the sensor for the pressure gauge. Could just the 'idiot' light sensor be faulty, in turn giving me a warning light at low rpm somewhat at random?

 

[1990dsmkid]

Yes its possible.

 

[RamenPride]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...8p/5971624-P?navigationPath=L1*14920|L2*15005

 

[TinyGoliath]

This may have been mentioned but I didn't see it.
The threads on an aftermarket gauge often times are different than the ones on your OFH or any other sensor hole for that matter. They look the same and will start to thread in but when if you tighten them down there could be enough damage to not allow a stock sensor to seal when you reinstall it. Our cars use a metric pipe thread mNPT which is the same as BSPT(British standard pipe thread) not NPT(national pipe thread)which is standard equipment with most domestic origin gauge sets. Both types of threads look similar so be sure of what you have before tightening any further than finger tight. Adapters are available so if your new gauge has the wrong thread its a simple fix.

The oil pressure gauge I got arrived! But it's 27NPT. Where can I find an adaptor to make it work?

 

[hotrodssnova]

If memory serves there are two sensors. Crawl under and look.

There are 2 sensors. One is a fat round one with a nub for the wire connection....for the oil pressure gauge. The other one is half metal, half plastic with a spade connection for the light.

Whatever you do, do NOT use a brass nipple to hook up your new gauge. Road vibration and bumps will break it off at the threads where it screws in to the ofh. I ran a separate line and mounted it on the inside fender where my ps tank used to sit.
I have broken a couple of those nipple and if you're not paying attention, you'll pump all the oil out in a hurry.

 

[1990dsmkid]

I would also remote mount the new sending unit. Putting them right on the ofh can cause problems and shorten their lifes from vibrations

 

[DSM1G90]

With motor on idle: take the oil cap off and look inside. If you see oil swirling around under the valve cover, you got plenty of idle oil pressure feeding the head and oil squirting on the cyl walls..

But, with 134k on the motor, you could have tired main crank bearings that isn't keeping the pressure up at idle, esp after a good run being the oil has thinned up when hot.

 

[TinyGoliath]

For installing the new oil pressure sending unit, is there any way I can mount them in sequence so that both stock and after market gauges work? Is there a write up of how to do this anywhere? because my aftermarket sending unit is 27NPT threads.

@DSM1G90 if this is the case and I can't afford to rebuild/swap what are my options. would a thicker viscosity oil work like someone mentioned in this thread?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Here's what I am using for an extra tap for my aftermarket guage:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-8-BSPT-Oi...es&hash=item1e96ed9ac3&vxp=mtr#ht_2672wt_1038

And have you thought about adding some Lucas Oil Stabilizer to your oil to see if the light quits coming on? A thought for an old engine.

 

[TinyGoliath]

@1990TSIAWDTALON Any Ideas of not-ebay places to but that adapter? And I will have to try that, If that doesn't work Ill go up a viscosity oil and see if that helps.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

No. I looked and looked. I just got mine in the mail yesterday. Let me know if I can be of any other assistance. I will sure try to help. I know we all harp about FleaBay but for some things I consider it ok but definitely no turbo's for sure! The Lucas will just make your viscosity higher so it would be like running 20-50 motor oil.

 

[hotrodssnova]

I used one of the extra ports that have the allen plug. I highly recommend not using any brass nipple or t blocks for this project. The extra weight hanging out off that brass nipple is going to snap it off where the threads stop.

 

[1990dsmkid]

http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=23312&cat=0&page=1

This is what you should buy and use. Just get ride of the stock sending unit and run the aftermarket.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I have to agree with hotrodnova after mocking mine up. Remote looks like a great option. Thanks for the insite to Mr nova! The adaptor also looks like it will be very close to my intercooler pipe also so that everyone knows.

 

[DSM1G90]

For installing the new oil pressure sending unit, is there any way I can mount them in sequence so that both stock and after market gauges work? Is there a write up of how to do this anywhere? because my aftermarket sending unit is 27NPT threads.

@DSM1G90 if this is the case and I can't afford to rebuild/swap what are my options. would a thicker viscosity oil work like someone mentioned in this thread?

Might help a little for the time being, but also, you could have a tired oil pump as well that is causing low pressure.

 

[buhay6]

uh oh..... I fudged up haha
I just threaded my prosport sending unit right into the OFH, I thought it felt weird but I haven't had a problem yet......key word there is "yet".
Looks like I'll be buying a new OFH some time in the near future.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It will seal but you can't go back to bspt after. You should be fine. My son did it on his ofh and it doesn't leak but I am going with 3/8" bspt to 4AN and using remote line for mine now. About $25 from ExtremePSI for the fittings. Both ways are working on our engines just so you know.

 

[modifyer]

Here is the thread adapter you need, from there you can use a tee fitting in standard NPT.
I know he is on the wrong side of the border and I am replying late, sorry about that.
https://www.rtmracing.com/xcart/product.php?productid=18838&cat=383&page=2

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Thats Ziggy's place. Done business with him before and has products I couldn't find anywhere else. Good guy! I decide to remote mount mine and Extreme PSI fixed me up with the fittings and line that I needed.

 

[TinyGoliath]

Mine is in the mail. I'm just going to forget about running them in sequence because the stock one is really lagging. As soon as the thread adaptor comes I'm just going to put the after market in place of the stock. It's lighter and smaller then the stock one which hasn't broken off in 18 years so I think I'm safe.