[Kim]

My oil pressure gauge shows what I think is too low a pressure at normal driving speed. I only show about 3.5 bar (just above 4 bar when the engine is cold, about 1.5 bar at hot idle) and, with a new oil pump, new rings and a major overhaul of the head I think that something is amiss with the gauge. I doubt that the pressure is really too low.



What is the normal position of the indicator on the gauge with the key in the "on" position but the engine not running? On my car it is at least 1.5 - 2 needle widths below the 0 mark. Intuitively, one would think that the pressure should be 0 bar, not -1 bar. It there an adjustment on the back of the gauge that allows the position with the electrical system on but the car not running to be set back to zero?



Alternatively, I have heard that use of a plastic fork and some care will allow removal of the indicator needle from the gauge, allowing it to be put back on where it should be. This would require removal of the plastic gauge cover that I recall is glued onto the cluster. However, recalibrating the gauge would be better as it would avoid having the oil pressure light come on in hot weather at 2 bar rather than at the 1 bar where it should trigger the alarm.



Any ideas?

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[DaveN]

Kim, mine sits at exactly 0 when on but not running. When running it's at about 4.5-5 above 1,500 rpm and about 3ish at idle.

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[Kim]

That's what I thought that it should be. So the trick is how to make it show right - move the needle or try to recalibrate the gauge.

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[DaveN]

Because I have more spare time than I know what to do with I would be pulling the cluster and moving the dial needle. It's not that hard to get it all apart just have to watch the old air bag! You can remove the cluster without taking off the steeling wheel but it's real tricky, read-dangerous as you scratch the crap out of stuff.

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[LuJac]

My pressure guage was incosistant untill it finally peged at the top. Bad sender. Replaced the sender and now it reads as normal.

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