POOR VITAL SIGNS??

[MYRON]

During my cruizing wednesday night I noticed some strange things with my oil pressure.

 

I would fluctuate between 30-60psi as I was cruising at a steady 3500rpm. I have noticed this before but never really worried about it. do any of you have this problem?

 

At lower rpms it was always around 50psi.

Why would it drop during hard acceleration?

and it only seems to do this strange stuff

if the engine is already hot...

 

What gives?

Myron

[BLKMGK]

Is your oil pan baffled? Is the pickup WELDED to the pump? I had one actually break a weld once on a V8 Vega and it would suck air causing the oil pressure ot drop. Hard acceleration can also cause the oil to shift to the back of the pan - not cool! I'd be hunting the cause of this if I were you. Is the guage accurate? Is it a mechanical aftermarket or an electrical guage that could have a bad connection?

[Michael]

If the oil pressure problem occurs even while cruising at a steady rpm (and so, evidently at a steady speed), it might be a bearing problem, rather than an oil pickup problem. Does the oil pressure fluctuate when you rev the engine in neutral, with the car parked? Also, are there any deep rumbling noises that vary linearly with rpm?

[MYRON]

The pressure seems to be fine when the engine is cold. I can start it up and drive out of the neighbor hood and it is actually

very steady at 70psi @ 2000rpm. I usualy do

not notice the problem unless the engine is 180+ degrees. I havnt tried a hard accelleration when the engine is cold to see if it drops. The pickup is not welded and that may be the problem. I will have to drop the pan and check it out.