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Topic: Oil Pressure Fluctuations

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (1/10)
8/8/11 3:22pm

tb2k82ce

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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.

Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I got the car idling down about where it is supposed to when warm 600 to 650. It runs ruff at that speed but settles out about 750 or above. When it is warm (190-200 degrees never runs hotter than 200) the oil pressure gage at idle fluctuates between 25 and 40 pounds. Around 950 up it is smooth and over 40 pounds. Car is currently about ½ quart of oil down is all so that should not be the problem.

General information car only has 46000 miles on it. Sat for 4 years before I got it 4 years ago in those 4 years I have only put about 2000 miles on it. But now drive it 3 or 4 times a week as it is my preferred mode of transportation.

I’m concerned and would like to know what is the recommended place to start and or possible causes.

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (2/10)
8/8/11 7:05pm

manget1

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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2418

How confident are you that the gague is accurate?

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (3/10)
8/9/11 1:06am

tb2k82ce

I used to be less confident before I got the idle down close to where it is suppose to be because above 950 rpm the oil pressure needle is rock solid at a little over 40 psi. Now down a idle it oscillates between 25 and 40. most of the time swinging fast enough that you cannot see the needle between the upper and lower limits. It does not stay at the 25 mark more than a few tens of a second.

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (4/10)
8/9/11 8:08am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

I would seriously consider installing a temporary, mechanical gauge to see what the actual oil pressure is. The fluctuating could be simply a defective pressure sending unit, which would be my first guess, but it could also be the gauge itself, or...worst case, an actually oil pressure problem. The mechanical gauge will tell the tale quickly.

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (5/10)
8/9/11 7:56pm

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6836

Just set the idle at 950. Problem solved. LOL

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (6/10)
8/9/11 10:19pm

Adams' Apple

Is that the official Double E solution, Dave?

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (7/10)
8/10/11 1:06am

tb2k82ce

That is so simple. I just cannot figure out how I missed that. Handshake

Double thanks to you now I can fix my Toyota problem only occurs when I'm driving the Toyota. The solution is so obvious and it can be applied to all problems. LOL. Beer

I just will not drive it anymore. (trade cars with my wife)

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (8/10)
8/10/11 9:35am

Jaws79

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

Now THAT"S the way to fix it!

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (9/10)
8/10/11 5:46pm

kwoody
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Tucson, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black/Tan Leather Build Code C09E Bronze TTop CrossFire Fuel Injection L83 85 Fuel Pump Auto Axle 2.72 Firestone Firehawk Indy500

Joined: 7/11/2010
Posts: 415

Hi Gilbert,

I have had the same kind of shaking oil needle since I've had Baby. It happens around idle and when I'm driving down the road. Mostly, I notice it when I'm off the throttle. The oil temp does not spike and there is no change in the water temp. I don't hear any difference in sound or in performance. The techs I've talked to said it sounds like a bad meter or sender sensitive to a harmonic or whatever. I have not pulled the oil pan yet but, there is rust working on it so, that will happen some time...... They did not seem think it was a big deal because of the steady temps....

So, this post won't help any...

Keith

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Oil Pressure Fluctuations (10/10)
8/10/11 6:59pm

tb2k82ce

Thanks I plan on checking it with oil pressure gage in the near future will let everyone know what it looks like then just in case others have the same problem.

Gil

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