Low Oil Pressure EA82

[kanurys]

Yesterday I pulled the trigger on my latest 4x4 project. It's an '89 GL with a carb & dual range 5 spd. I've only owned it for a day and already love it. More explanation on that to come...

 

As I was driving it home I noticed that after it warmed up, the oil pressure gauge was reading a lower than normal pressure.

 

At idle it sits at maybe 10 psi and at 4000 rpm it slowly moves up to just under 45 psi. The engine doesn't burn any oil and there are no ticky valves.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I'm thinking any of these things:

-sending unit

-pump

-crankshaft bearings?

 

Thanks in advance. This forum is invaluable.

[ihscout54]

I wouldnt trust the factory gauge for a second. To know for sure you need to test it, or hook up a mech. gauge. Even if it is accurate I dont think those readings are "bad".

[kanurys]

Thanks. I wasn't really worried about running it at those pressures, but this is my first EA82 and I'm not really sure what to expect as far as the idiosyncrasies. What is "normal" oil pressure on this engine?

[kanurys]

I forgot to mention: it has about 140000 miles on the odometer.

[kanurys]

OK, I should say thanks to the other oil pressure threads. After reading the related threads I think I'll get one of those little after market gauge clusters and throw it in with a new sender. That sounds a little bit more reliable than the stock gauge. Maybe I'll get one with temp, too.

[opus]

That pressure is pretty much the way most of them are that I have had. I figure 10psi for every 1000 rpm seems how it works.

[tturnpaw]

That sounds about right. My mechanical gauge wouldnt fit. The sender was too large both the threads (except the main one and the other on the side) and the housing itself wouldnt fit.