hey guys, got a question for you all. I've been noticing for the last 2 weeks that when cold my oil pressure sensor on my FD will give a proper reading at about 30psi at idle (directly after the AWS turns off), but after driving the car for about 150-20 minutes my oil pressure reading will drop down to 0psi. I've been checking the oil every morning before startup (stone cold engine) and I've still got a full oil tank), but one thing I've noticed this morning right after driving the car for about 20 minutes I checked the oil with the car still running at idle (about 20 seconds after coming to a stop), and the oil tank was still reading at full. I know this would be unusual for a piston engine as the engine block picks up most of the oil while running. but is it normal for the engine to read full on oil when the engine is warmed up and running. I'm hoping it's my sensor that's just dying out, but anybody have any ideas on whether or not this os normal or if this might be a bigger problem?? the car runs fine and acts normally. any info would be great.

 

Yes, the sensor is faulty.

-Max

 

To expand on Max's comment - this is a very common problem. Sometimes they can be restored by cleaning the oil-entry passage out, but most often the solution is to just get a new one.

 

ok, thanks for the help guys, but also, the question about the dip stick reading. When the car is running, is it normal for the dip stick to still say full (I know with piston cars, the oil level will drop a bit as the block picks up oil, but while running the car, my dip stick says that the oil level is still at full even while running)??

 

i have the same prob. my idle op is almost or at 0. but i figured it was b/c i run a thinner oil. i run 10w-30, should i run thicker? or is my guage faulty too.

 

Your oil pressure sending unit (not the oil pressure gauge) is most likely dead.
You can't get an accurate reading when the engine is running because the oil is often splashing and churning inside the cases. Do it properly: turn the engine off, wait a minute or so, and then measure.

 

Try taking off the electrical connector to your pressure sensor and inspecting it. Mine had some corrosion on it and after a little sandpapering I reconnected it and it works like a charm!

 

hmm, ok, guess the first thingto do is pull the sensor out and check the oil passage (bung by the oil pan) and check for any buildup on the sensor. It screws out, right?? (man, and I just flushed my oil).

Thanks so much for the help guys.

 

I think the bung by the pan is the oil level sensor, not the pressure sensor.

 

Correctomundo. The oil pressure sensor is located beneath the throttle body elbow on the engine case.

 

anyone have a pic of exactly where this sensor is? (mine is definately screwed)

 

I don't have a pic, but find the oil filter and then look down. The oil pressure sensor sticks out of the side of the rear housing pretty far and has a light gray rubber cover over it. It is about ~2 inches in diameter and has a single spade connector on the end of it (with a wire attached, unless it fell off).

-Max