400SE oil pressure question

[Pooh]

I am picking up my new (1989)400SE in a couple of days and there is an issue with the oil pressure gauge or sensor (I think).
When the car is started the low oil pressure light goes out straight away but the gauge only reads about 1/4 of the way up, if I rev the engine the gauge goes up in little jumps to just under half way, am I correct in thinking that this is a gauge or sensor issue and if so does anybody know how I fix it?
Thanks
Robert.

[Jasper Gilder]

It's almost certainly the sender

[red tasman]

Can't help with the fix, but wish you all the best with your purchase!

[Pooh]

Thanks guys

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I'm 90% sure its a VDO sender, you should be able to get one from TVRcarparts they are very common to fail, luckily the low pressure switch (the one that controls the light) are more stable (but do fail also) so as long as the light is going out, you don't have a lot to worry about. the pressure senders are quite expensive though aprox £40 +- £10 not bought one for a while.
Other option is to fix a Spar digital system (as fitted to my racer and what SH uses) new though its £150+ for the pressure and temp gauges and display.

[Pooh]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

I'm 90% sure its a VDO sender, you should be able to get one from TVRcarparts they are very common to fail, luckily the low pressure switch (the one that controls the light) are more stable (but do fail also) so as long as the light is going out, you don't have a lot to worry about. the pressure senders are quite expensive though aprox £40 +- £10 not bought one for a while.
Other option is to fix a Spar digital system (as fitted to my racer and what SH uses) new though its £150+ for the pressure and temp gauges and display.

Thanks for that, I will have a look once I have the car, it is reassuring that it does not appear to be a major problem.

[Number 7]

Not sure how your gauge is calibrated, but dependant on oil type and general wear, you should expect to see twice the pressure at 2500rpm than at idle (hot)- mine is 20 psi and 40 psi respectively. Cold pressures will be somewhat higher.

7.