Oil Pressure?

[nrea]

This in regards to 1997 LX 470. the oil pressure gauge seems to move up and down with the rev of the engine. If you take your foot off the gas, the oil pressure goes down (at slow speeds). It is almost like it mimiks the rpm guage. Is this normal for this rig?

Thanks

 

[ryankalel]

My 94 does the same thing. When I am at regular idle, at a stop light or something it goes the the second mark, (second mark from the bottom). When I am at freeway speeds it is at the third mark, (one down from the highest). Nothing to worry about. I think.

 

[tea LC]

i think that is normal. if you read your owners manual it shows different ranges of oil pressure for slow/stop-n-go driving v. highway speeds. at least in the LC manual it shows the 2 different oil ranges.

if i remember later ill scan the page.

 

[LX_TREME]

nrea, '97 LX470??? hmm 97 already have LX470?

 

[nrea]

Sorry, I have been looking at a 470...i meant a 450.

Thank you for your comments. I think it is probably normal.

Nate

 

[Rookie2]

nrea:

You might take a glance at the owners manual. It depicts the normal operating ranges for the oil pressure gauge at low and high idle. Mine hovers somewhere around midpoint at low idle and slightly above the second to last tick at high idle.


Rookie2

 

[snowwolfwarrior]

of course the oil pressure alters depending on rpm, the more revs the more pressure, simple as that.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

hmmmm.
mechanical oil pump ????????
totally normal, you only need to worry if it dips below hte bottom hash mark.
Dave

 

[Scamper]

I'd add that in my experience, usinging full synthetic M1 5W30, you get very low readings when the engine is warmed up fully. I see the needle run about 25% below the low mark at idle.

 

[Lars]

Mine runs below the low mark at idle when warm.

 

[nrea]

I believe this guage (it's not mine.) drops to the lowest point when it is at an idle.

 

[Lars]

I believe this guage (it's not mine.) drops to the lowest point when it is at an idle.

You should have no worries. Very normal.

 

[4x4CPOSEADOG]

You should have no worries. Very normal.

And as long as you don't see the oil light, then that is normal. Mine dips to low also when on idle and with Amsoil 5W30 synthetic it even dips lower. On highway speed, my pointer gets to the third line. That is normal.

 

[cary]

Last I checked the 80 doesn't have a idiot light for oil pressure.

 

[snowwolfwarrior]

MMMMMMMM now thats worrying............I might have to add one.

 

[TampaTom]

I seem to have an oil pressure issue that just showed up yesterday. 92 with 165,000 miles. We left for a trip and I noticed the pressure guage was on the bottom line (usually slightly over the 1/4 mark warm). Pulled over and checked oil (20-50 Castrol/Florida). It was full. Restarted and had a pressure reading so thought the sensor was going bad (like my Alfa Romeo). 20 minutes down the road start hearing a knocking sound. Pulled over listened and decided it was comming from the engine. Let it sit for five minutes. Re started, had pressure on start up but gauge dropped again to flat line and knocking came back. Called AAA and towed it home. I'm guesing its my oil pump needs to be replaced. Any ideas?

 

[cruiserdan]

The knock is a bad omen. You will need to pull the pan and get a look.

 

[cary]

I'm going to second Dan, it sounds like your oil pump or presure relief valve went south but you drove it to long. The knock you are describing sounds like the classic rod knock, there at idle, goes away when you give it a little gas. You will likely have to put new rod bearings in (assuming the crank is not damaged) at a minumum. I see a small block conversion in your future.

 

[dclee]

I have the opposite problem. My gauge pegs high, at the max level, even with the engine turned off. Needle jsut never moves. I though it was the sender, replaced it (though with a Taiwanese knock-off). Maybe a short? Or is the gauge itself bad?

Thanks,

 

[cruiserdan]

That sounds like a gauge or wiring issue.