Low Idle Oil Pressure

[CarbonWedge]

Hi, can anyone help me with low idle oil pressure. Pressure starts of good at between 3-4 on the gauge (i presume this is 30 - 40psi?). After about 5 mins of warming up the pressure drops to 1 on the gauge whenever you sit at idle (set at 900-950rpm)and the light flickers on and off, it doesn't rise above 2 when driving.

I replaced the pressure relief spring and piston at the weekend, with a higher pressure version, but it doesn't seem to have made any difference. Also brand new 15/50 Valvoline oil. Engine re primed without any problems after packing the pump with vaseline.

Any ideas, i'm stumped?

[peaktorque]

Worn pump?

I have had issues with my oil pressure recently, but luckily it turned out to be the pressure switch (my pressure gauge sender has been deceased for a while, next job to sort!).

[CarbonWedge]

Thanks for you reply, i will try a new sender unit fo the waring light - easiest of the jobs, then perhaps apart for the pump gear.

Out of interest what do other's gauges read when idling and warm? I have googled the problem, and a lot of the Land rover sites seem to think 10psi at idle is fine, and just about ok at 5psi?

[GreenV8S]

I think the gauge you have is reading in bar (1 bar is roughly 15 psi). The figures you're getting seem perfectly normal to me, it's not at all uncommon for a tired engine to get low enough oil pressure at hot idle for the warning light to start flickering. You say it picks up to 30 psi or so when you're driving, and that's pretty normal for a tired engine and nothing to worry about.

Unless the behaviour has suddenly changed or you start getting low pressure warnings when the engine is above idle I wouldn't worry about it.

[KelWedge]

Hi

Your Oil figures are about what mine read, I am happy as long as the Low light keeps off! and the gauge goes up to 2 or 3 when driving. If,
It Goes and it sound good, it must be good!

Kelvin

[grahamw48]

Mine is about 50lbs on cold startup, and runs at about 40 when hot, never dropping below 20-25.

I think the engine is a guddun though. Uses no oil.