Steve Agin

The other day I noticed the oil pressure gauge reading low (not above 30 at hi RPM and dropping all the way down to 0 at idle. So, shut off checked and found only down 1/3 quart. Upon filling, drove again, same result. Parked for 1/2 hour, started and drove again - perfectly normal with over 60 lbs.pressure at 4K RPM, and idle about 15 lbs.First thought maybe something in the pan was getting sucked up temporarily, but when I asked my regular mechanic he thought it more likely that pressure sender is going bad. IF the sender was bad would it show partial pressure? Or just read 0 ?What should I do? Are there any truly knowledgeable RX7 mechanics in NW NJ (07833). Also, am moving to Staten Island (hopefully in a few months) so will be in NYC any great RX7 techs there? My car's been under the ultimate care of Dave Barninger for the last 20 years but now I see Speed1 is closed.Please let me know if anyone has insights into any of this. Thanks! Steve

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Your profile lists a 93.
The FD’s oil pressure sender is known to produce INDICATED pressures just as you described. It’s usually a result of one of two things...a poor connection at the single spade connector...which typically gets dirty over time from it’s location directly under the oil filter pedestal. Or a faulty sender. When the oil is hotter (at its lowest viscosity) or the oil is thinned from fuel dilution (which commonly occurs on rotaries over time) it can aggravate things and contribute to the scary readings.
Try cleaning the connector thoroughly, maybe even scuffing the connector to see what you get BEFORE replacing the sender. IIRC a new sender runs a bit over $100.
The FDs oil pump is pretty robust and the engine suffers from very few real oil pressure issues. I think the FSM specifies minimum 50 psi at 3000 rpm. On fresh oil it’s not unusual to see well above that, even after reaching operating temp.

Steve Agin

Thanks Sarge! After howling, I broke down and read a thread where it seems many 7ers go to fret and it confirms what you've said so I'm looking forward to putting my 67 yr old butt on the blacktop to attempt a cleaning and ruff-up. I really appreciate the reply very much! Dave Barninger looked after my 7 for 20 yrs (if you don't know him, well, he's God inside Mazda) but Speed1, his shop is now gone and he's not much for communicating.

So, thanks again,
And thank you for your service!

Best, Steve

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

No worries. Not a lot us guys in our sixties are nuts enough to play with these cars...we gotta stick together.
I keep contact cleaner in my shop and am fortunate enough to have a lift for oil changes. I typically give that spade connector a spritz of cleaner after the change...but even then it can do what you describe occasionally.
Have fun.

Steve Agin

The older I get the more I need to drive a race car (it's all about just making it around that turn)! Got a '70 MGB too for when I need a lower gear.

Maybe in my next life I'll have a lift.

Thanks again, Steve

Steve Agin

by the way, what state are you in?

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

I understand. My other car is a 52 Chevrolet Convertible used for local low-speed cruising on back-country roads with the wife. I like the contrast when I park that and jump into the FD. Driving the FD is almost always a solo trip...which is fine with me. Daily is a F150 KR, the perfect 'old guy' truck for where I live...in the Omaha NE metro area.

BTW, not certain exactly how close it is to you, but there is a shop in New Jersey... https://www.irperformance.com/
They're a forum sponsor and have a good reputation here.

Steve Agin

Sounds like a parallel universe. My wife (of 40 years) who has driven with me for years in our '72 MGB, and then '66 427/390 Vette coup, and then '64 E type, and even flew with me to TX to get our 427 side-oilered Contemp Cobra and DRIVE IT BACK to NJ in NOVEMBER (only made it to Tulsa (an open car in Nov. / 2000 mi. is NG, besides drift-pin at base of distributor sheered off) then bought me a '66 427/390 Vette Rdstr she found for $10k, NOW, virtually refuses to ride with me in my 3rd gen. - she's had it. Drivin' alone reminds me of when I'd zip up the tonneau on the Cobra (still do on the '70 B), feel like Clark or Moss. For me, drivin' (which my father said was for the purpose of going from pt. A to pt. B) is about driving, period. Now that I've gotten rid of the old English bikes I had (without dying), my 7 is it. But I did test a new Miata, and I have to say, though I've never purchased a new car, it was PRETTY nice.

Your '52 Chevy sounds beautiful! My parents had a '54 Cheiftain when I was a kid, how I'd love to get one of those ... someday.

Enough dreaming, too much work to do.

Best, Steve

Best, Steve