Low oil pressure at idle

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M

mannyb1fz

10 Year
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So I'm sitting dead stop on the way up to Big Bear. I've been cruising in 2nd around 3k rpm, running mobil 1 15-50. I've never seen the oil pressure this low but this fzj is also pretty new to me. Should I be worried?
 
How high does the needle move when you are at higher rpms?
 
Agree on oil and filter. I'd suggest the OEM Toyota filter too. And I'm personally a dinosaur-oil guy (on these engines), although it seems many guys on here like to use Mobil synthetics. Interestingly, as I was looking at the owner's manual on my '93 and the range for oil pressure at idle (hot) goes all the way down, or close to it! You were climbing, and the oil was hotter too. Additionally, as oil gets more hours on it your relative pressure will drop slightly. The viscosity changes a bit. On (simple) reciprocating aircraft engines slightly lower oil pressure at idle can reflect recommended oil change intervals, at least on the old Beechcraft gauges. But, as it's a new rig to you, a Blackstone oil analysis is a smart move to get a baseline on your engine and the oil you're using.
 
The OE sensor is notorious for being inaccurate as it gains a few years. First get a decent quality oil pressure gauge and temporarily fit it in place of the OE sender. When you are satisfied there is no problem (and more than likely there is nothing wrong), then either buy a new sender unit or checkout my thread in my sig on the lowdown on how to adjust the OE unit.

regards

Dave
 
Mine drops when oil gets low, although it never drops to zero. I use it as an indication to top off the oil.
 
I think I'd freak out if I saw the gauge sitting at zero with the engine running.
 
My '95 does the very same thing. Been doing it for the past 11 years.
Keep your oil changes routine, always use the OEM filter and roll on.
 
DARKNESS said:
Mine drops when oil gets low, although it never drops to zero. I use it as an indication to top off the oil.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea IMO. The gauge is powered by 'pulses' from the sensor, inside there is a set of contact points that open and close rapidly. If you are getting 'some' oil pressure and then very little and then back to 'some' this means there are times when your engine is not getting the correct pressure relative to engine speed, as the gauge is 'damped' it will not reflect the true pressure real time.


regards

Dave
 
The oil level is still at the full marker, when driving the pressure gauge reads at 3/4 line. I'll throw a mechanical gauge on then try the gauge fix after. Thanks guys!
 
The oil level is still at the full marker, when driving the pressure gauge reads at 3/4 line. I'll throw a mechanical gauge on then try the gauge fix after. Thanks guys!
 
Thanks for that Stevensnj, @ mannyb1fz, I honestly doubt there is a problem but advise you check it asap....you know....just in case?

The link in my sig has a post that explains how to adjust the sensor.

regards

Dave
 
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