Oil Pressure

[m3coupe]

I've been looking at these forums regarding this but can't get a proper answer.

Looking for the pressure at idle and at normal driving speed. My engine isn't making any noises that it shouldn't, just wondering what the pressure should be. On start up it sit's about 19/20 psi then drops down to between 10/14ps when i'm doing about 50/60mph in 5th. Raises when I accelerate but can't remember what it sit's at. Do I need to check the oil levels propely and if so, how do I do it.

Heard stories that it needs to be hot before it's checked.

[grumbledoak]

Oil pressure sender was a common fault with early cars; even my '05 needed a new one at the first service to stop it beeping at hot idle - do you get this ? I tend to look at the bars, so my reading is from 'little' to 'lots', but I'd guess: 48 at cold idle or when driving, dropping to 10-ish at hot idle. No beeps.

To check the oil, use the dipstick! Anywhere above minimum is fine, above maximum and she'll try to find a way to spit it out - you'll learn how much your car 'drinks' over time. Remember, when the engine is off oil drains out of the tank into the engine, so you need to do it quickly after you've switched off.

Ideally, go for a decent drive, open the bonnet, then switch off and quickly check the oil level. Aim for half-way between min and max.

Alternately, my dealership recommended leaving the burns to them, and to check it before the car gets truly hot. After four or five miles the oil should be at 20-30; not quite working temp, but liquid enough that 'more than the minimum' is good enough.

As the car is new to you, I'd recommend you get burnt a few times 'til you get a feeling for how much she drinks. If she drinks quite a bit you'll need to stick with it, but if you are lucky the second method will see you right and keep your fingers.

HTH

[m3coupe]

I don't get any beeps at all, and the pressure isn't all over the place. Seems to be pretty much steady.

Only had the car a week, just contacted Dreadnought to see about booking it in for a service. Will see how it goes after that. Probably let them do the checking first off. Thanks for the info though, sure it will come in very useful! Just paranoid at the moment since i've just got the car.

[tuscanx1]

I checked mine at the weekend, runs between 45 and 50 at normal temp cruising in 5th at around 80. At hot idle it drops to 8-10. When it has been real hot I have had 0 psi warnings come up (at idle). Plenty of oil in the tank!

[glow worm]

I definitely get that checked out....I'd say it's way too low, 50psi on startup, 50-70 psi running, 10-20 Hot idle. Don't let them tell "They all do that, Sir"...which is what you get from a lot of TVR dealers.

[chrismosley]

Mine is very simular so i put a machanicail gauge on aswell and my elctricail gauge reads 5 PSI under the actual pressure even with a new sender.

[m3coupe]

Ok, think I have a broken sensor. Started my car this morning and the oil pressure was sitting between 42 and 46 psi. Gradually lowered to sit about 19/20 psi when driving normally. Reckon that will be next purchase. Was worried about knocking or ticking noises all day but there is nothing, just normal sound of engine running!

[grumbledoak]

I don't think you have a broken sensor. At least, that isn't the usual symptom (i.e. reading very low causing warning beeps). In the 40s when cold, rising with revs, and generally dropping as she warms up sounds pretty normal. I wouldn't worry much about exact numbers, no two cars are the same. By all means get her checked, they aren't expensive to replace, but I don't think that is your issue.

What was the oil level on the dipstick?

[Paul V]

I noticed my oil pressure dropped on idle with the aircon on as the idle was set too low, after resetting the idle its normally around the 18 psi on hot idle now.