What should the oil pressure be?
 

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone knows what the oil pressure should be when idling and when running at 2500 RPM. Should it vary?

Mine is 20 psi at idle and 55 psi at 2500. (see attachment)
I'm thinking this isn't right, and wondering about potential causes.

mechanical oil preasure gage is more reliable

^agreed. According to my stock gagues I run right about 40 psi when I'm on the throttle...but again its the stock shit gague. That will be getting changed shortly...

i run at about 58 to 60 on throttle...and believe I had always read this was ideal...

Center of the gauge is normal.

The gauge isn't the weak point either, its the Oil Pressure Sensor Unit.

well i run 50 idle and about 95 at 3k. cold will go to 110 an 2500

Mine reads 0 at idle but my unit is bad, I can see the oil bubbles around the point.

Holy crap, 20w-50 in -20degF or a bad sensor if you're referring to the stock oil pressure sensor.

I have 20w-50 in my turbo engine right now and the stock gauge reads a little below the 30 mark at idle and a little above the 60 mark on throttle.

Mechanical gauge at the oil filter reads 25psi at idle and 75psi on throttle when warmed up.

Mine reads 20/60. You're pretty normal as far as I understand it.

Thanks for the comments. I'm thinking that the gauge should be at the 'low' mark at idle and the 'high' mark at running speed, otherwise, why the marks? I've had the car for over 20 years, and never noticed the lower readings.

Also, can you tell me where the sensor is located, and where to buy one? I don't see it listed at my usual store (RockAuto)

Another question - I've always used 10W30 oil here in upstate NY. Should I be using a different weight oil on this older engine?

And another question - when do the wiper seals in the engine blow? When I start seeing a lot of blue smoke?

the spec for the regulator is 71psi, over 3000rpm, although the stock gauge is damped enough that its usually a little low.

the oil pressure sender is N201-14-820 from Mazda.

10-30 is fine, the rotary isn't picky about the weight of oil you give it, which is nice.

my turbo fb with an REW block reads right around 25-27 at idle (1000rpms avg) and 85-90 at throttle.

i was scared because i thought the idle oil pressure had somehow fallen due to something going wrong in engine. good to read this is about normal.

i do have to pull the motor since rear rotor compression is down to about 70. front reads well over 95.