oil pressure is low???

[nairnman]

i just put in 2 gauges 1st oil temperature 2nd oil pressure. i installed them at the oil filter with a sandwich adapter. gauges are hooked up fine and there is no leaks. whilst i was doing it i put in fresh semi synthetic 15w40 and new oil filter. when im driving the oil pressure goes up and down with the revs which is normal but when it idles the pressure is at 0 psi. surely this cant be right? even sometimes driving steadily its still at zero. this is why i check all connections and for leaks. so what could be wrong? for that matter what should the correct pressures be? cheers hope this isnt terminal. the oil temperature when driving is at 70 degree c

[Kace]

Not sure about the pressure but that temp seems very low. Is that after the car has been warmed up? It should be up at about 95-98 when the engine has been running for a while. It could of course be the dials themselves?

[nairnman]

the engine was cold and only drove for 15mins. i was not booting it as i was aware of the oil pressure. just been searching and found the engine should be at 50psi when driving but what about idle? is it a big job to take the sump off and clean the pickup gauze? do i need gaskets?

[holio]

Take it youve checked oil level and its correct.
Taking the sump off isnt a big job if you know what your doing and yea youl need a gasket.
What was the old oil and filter like?
Plenty of reasons for low oil pressure and not many of them are cheap fixes but saying that im only a hobbiest and not a mechanic.
First place to start looking would be taking off sump and checking pickup screen.

[nairnman]

I checked oil and its at the right level and the filter seemed quite new so maybe its the pick up. Im going to try wynns oil fortifier to try and bring pressure up. I was reading about putting a bit of kerosene in the oil then flush it this may remove sludge as i already tried wynns engine flush

[holio]

Personally im not a fan of additives, found they never really did anything or else they worked for a while and then the problem would rear its angry face again but usually a bit worse. Saying that though, iv heard fantastic things about lucas oil stabiliser.
In my experience and now i maybe wrong but low oil pressure is usually from the engine being worn, pressure is built up by all the small passages in the engine.
Try one of the additives as taking the sump off is gonna mean draining the oil anyway.

[nairnman]

I will try that but for 60k motor thats shocking

[holio]

Yea 60k sounds a bit to early for those kind of problems.
The pressure sensor you used?

[nairnman]

Brandnew but i cant be sensor because 1st minute or so show between 50 & 40psi then goes to zero but no change in engine noise. Very strange in need to find a sump gasket and do you know any guides on removal except for workshop manual also many thanks

[holio]

If your entirely certain you installed it right and there is no funny noises from engine then take it for a gingerly spin. As soon as tappets start looking for your attention kill the engine or any knocking noises or funny sounds. Takes a bit for the oil pressure to build up but not long.

[nairnman]

changed oil from 10w40 semi synthetic for 15w40 (coma) fleet oil to bring pressure up at cold then added wynns supercharge oil treat for pressure at hot temps. the temperature of the oil is around 90 degrees c so that better but when i inspected the pressure sender it rattles so that may have gave me false readings. i do think its a bad idea having the pressure sensor at the oil filter sandwich as its the return oil feed reading given. i still need to find the oil pressure switch on the block to t off this would give better reading. does anyone know?

[StewyD32]

It has to be aloud and shouldn't rattle around.
Those pressure plates are notorious for not working properly.

[holio]

Oil filter pressure plate adaptor is going to give same reading as it would on original factory pressure sender on top block.
As stewy said, it shouldnt rattle. Is it the sensor or connector thats rattling?

[nairnman]

sensor rattling m8

[holio]

Any update on this

[nairnman]

not been in it today but definately think its the sender. i need to find out where the cars oil pressure switch is then i can stick a new sender there with a t-piece. any pictures would be greatly appreciated. i want to do this as i think fitting a pressure sender at the oil filter is a bad idea. would rather have it at the block. i will in the near future and have the sump off to clean out and clean the strainer and will take photos as i do it. looks a pain to do though as it has no gasket just silicone crap so bit wary of that leaking.

[nairnman]

just a thought but would a sump plug sender work for pressure? not sure as the sump is full of oil all the time