oil pressure

[cadetchris]

having just fitted a nice shinny new oil pressure gauge, i have become totally paranoid about it.

when i start it up, and drive it cold, the gauge reads 60psi then drops down to 40psi when nice and warm
when its idling, it shows 25-30psi.

is this right? or am i paranoid because its a new gauge for me to look at?

[PSL184]

Sounds good to me

[bmcecosse]

It depends - if that 40 psi is at 60 mph in top gear - then it's a bit on the low side...........

[Dean]

I'll quote from the manual:

"If thou running conditions are normal, then ye pressure should cometh 40lb/sq in. At idle thou pressure will be as near as damn it 20lb/sq in. Whilst driving and giveth some oumph ye expect 60lb/sq in."


Incidently..... the oil pressure relief valve operates at 60PSI... so what happens? Do we get a sudden discharge of oil like when an airplane off loads the toilet tank... or does it just release it back to the sump?

[mike.perry]

A slight grammatical error there :- At idle THINE pressure

[bmcecosse]

The relief valve opens at 60 - and dumps the excess oil back to the sump.