Hey Guys,
Have a quick question. My Oil pressure gauge in my '85 Fiero I believe is reading right but I'm not sure.
When I turn the key to on the needle goes to 0.. is that where its suppose to read?
With the engine started it goes to 40-60 but after warmed up and in drive with the brake pressed.. it sinks pretty low.. close to 0.
I do have M1 synthetic oil in the car .. I don't know if that is what is causing it? and if its normal .. It sinks low to the point the oil light comes on in the guage as well ...
Should I adjust the needle to read above 0 when the key it set to on? or leave it at 0.. or maybe change the oil pressure sending unit?
Thanks for any help

Sounds like it is working correctly. What weight Mobil 1 are you using?

I would tee in a mechanical gauge to test what the real pressure is first to see if is not a wear problem.

thanks for the reply guys.
I believe it's 10w30 for the M1 oil..
and I don't have a oil pressure tester .. (could I / should I) pick up an after market one, would that work the same way?

If the gauge is working correctly .. I guess just pull out the bulb for the oil light.. so it doesn't come on every time I'm at a red light haha?

Low pressure is NEVER good. Pressure should be within rage at all engine RPM and temperature.
PSI See my Cave, Oil and Filter

quote Originally posted by cmechmann: I would tee in a mechanical gauge to test what the real pressure is first to see if is not a wear problem.

Yes. Never trust dash gauge anytime you have problems.

because if braking the car or brake lights On causing your issue then could be:
Have wiring/ground problems
Oil Pump and/or pickup tube have problems
low oil level. OP sender and tube or filter can leak w/o a big oil slick in a driveway.

Update/upgrade to 88 sender
See my Cave, Oil Sensor

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

quote Originally posted by theogre: Low pressure is NEVER good. Pressure should be within rage at all engine RPM and temperature. PSI See my Cave, Oil and Filter Yes. Never trust dash gauge anytime you have problems. because if braking the car or brake lights On causing your issue then could be: Have wiring/ground problems Oil Pump and/or pickup tube have problems low oil level. OP sender and tube or filter can leak w/o a big oil slick in a driveway. Update/upgrade to 88 sender See my Cave, Oil Sensor

Ditto, I have an old school mechanical oil pressure gauge that I keep in my test equipment tool box with a bunch of different fittings that I have used a few times over the years. interesting fact, years ago I looked up the amount of oil pressure that is the min recommended by the manufacturer in a Chilton manual, it said like 5 lbs. if I remember right. I was at a buddy's shop when I was looking at it and we both thought that was just a little low.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't



Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

You can pick up a Sun oil pressure gauge at your auto parts store for about $15. They're designed for mounting under the dash, but that doesn't matter. Mine came with the correct fittings on the end of the long nylon tube. Makes it easy to tape the gauge to the rear window while you test drive. Just turn around and look at the pressure. On a notchback, you might even have enough line to bring around inside the passenger window.
http://shop.advanceautopart...n+oil+pressure+gauge