billsandhu

Driving on the motorway the other day, as I planted my foot down I happened to look accross to the oil pressure gauge and noticed that oil pressure had dropped slightly (maybe 0,2-0.4bar drop) and immediatley perked back up again when I lifted off. Is this normal or is there something else going on? Under normal driving conditions it was fine.

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

Hi, could you be more specific please? from what pressure did it drop from, eg what was the pressure before and after? and is your gauge electronic? a voltage drop could also cause this drop if the gauge has a bad earth or supply/ loose connection, also engine oil temp may be a factor

Shaks-STI

iTrader: (7)

or it could be the actual oil pump

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

i doubt the oil pump itself would cause a drop in pressure, knackered bearings yes, knackered turbo yes, pumps rarley fail first.

360ste

iTrader: (1)

How long ago was the last oil change? Oil does wear, so a oil and filter change would be my first thing to do.

billsandhu

Its measured on a defi gauge. It went from roughly 5.7 bar to 5.5bar. Oil temp was a steady 80 degrees. As soon as I lifted off the throttle it jumped back to 5.7bar.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

my guess,

oil pressure relief valve doing its job,ie stopping the oil pressure going too high and keeping it consistent and relieving the excess at full throttle !

excess high oil pressure is no good ,its consistancy/stable you want.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Oil pressure would be engine speed based (and therefore pump speed) not throttle position although high loading on the bearings may increase the flow resistance and hence pressure.
The OP didn't say what revs he was pulling, he could have been at full throttle anywhere in the rev range!

JohnD

billsandhu

The pull was from 3.2k-4k when i noticed it.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Will it do it when pulling from 3.2 to 4k with a much smaller throttle opening?

billsandhu

no, not that i noticed.

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

.2 of a bar, i wouldnt even be thinking about worrying about that! are you going to do anything about it, like strip the engine down or change the oil pump because of it? Probably not, stop worrying and just drive it! you still had 5.5 bar of oil pressure!

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

put all your lights on, the heated rear screen and the aircon and see if the gauge moves, could be an earth/battery/electrical problem if the gauge is not capilary.

billsandhu

So is it anything to look into?

billsandhu

bttt

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

nope. you are worrying about a problem that doesnt excist. as long as it has good oil in it (and enough of it) and good antifreezed coolant, then there is nothing more you can do. Just drive it as normal.

billsandhu

maydew

iTrader: (9)

or just throw the gauge out the window and never think anythin of it again