Author Topic: What should stock oil pressure be at idle??? (Read 9483 times)

shox75 · « **on:** October 24, 2005, 11:40:34 pm »

for a 1.6 TD.
thanks

QuickTD · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2005, 07:53:26 am »

Shouldn't be less than 10psi. The manual specifies oil pressure at 2000rpm, it should be no less than 2bar (29psi) at an oil temperature of 80ºC using 5-15w40 oil. This is measured at the oil filter mount and not at the head. The port on the head often gives lower readings.

Rat407 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:38:26 pm »

Yep, the head port does give lower readings. I'm different and get zero PSI at the head at operating temp. Why? Wish I knew, I rebuilt the entire engine because of low oil pressure and after I got it all put back together I still have zero pressure at any RPM once the oil is warmed up. That is with 15w-40 and running straight 30w. So far I have 6K on the engine with no problems. Keeping fingers crossed that it holds up for a long time, but like I said, all bearings were changed, yes intermediate shaft bearings as well, new oil pump, trust me I went through it all. I'm just wondering if there is a problem with the way the head was cast when it was made? Funny thing is I get 18 psi on start up at the head but run down the road exactly 3 miles and the pressure gage sits at zero. I do get oil pressure at the oil filter. At 55mph it reads 22psi and I get 12psi at idle.

malone · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:04:39 pm »

Quote from: "Rat407"

Yep, the head port does give lower readings. I'm different and get zero PSI at the head at operating temp. Why? Wish I knew, I rebuilt the entire engine because of low oil pressure and after I got it all put back together I still have zero pressure at any RPM once the oil is warmed up. That is with 15w-40 and running straight 30w. So far I have 6K on the engine with no problems. Keeping fingers crossed that it holds up for a long time, but like I said, all bearings were changed, yes intermediate shaft bearings as well, new oil pump, trust me I went through it all. I'm just wondering if there is a problem with the way the head was cast when it was made? Funny thing is I get 18 psi on start up at the head but run down the road exactly 3 miles and the pressure gage sits at zero. I do get oil pressure at the oil filter. At 55mph it reads 22psi and I get 12psi at idle.

Do you have a mechanical or electrical oil pressure gauge? If it's mechanical there might be a kink in the line between the head and your gauge. Or the ends of the lines are partially pinched - that can definitely happen if you:

a) Cut the line (the clamping pressure of a cutting tool can pinch the ends), or
b) Tighten the nut too much - the part that holds the line onto the sensor/head or gauge.

Just something to consider.

Justin · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:19:42 pm »

I have a mechanical lifter 1.5 and all warmed up i get 20 psi weather i use 15w 40 rotella or 5w 30 amsoil

and at 55 it sets at 80psi, start up it exceeds 120 psi

VWRacer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2005, 07:27:28 pm »

Justin, is that 20 psi at idle? If so, it sounds normal to me for a warmed-up engine. Remember, the VW standard is 29 psi at 2000 RPM - that's quite a bit above idle.

Rat407 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2005, 08:00:33 pm »

Quote from: "malone"

Quote from: "Rat407"
Yep, the head port does give lower readings. I'm different and get zero PSI at the head at operating temp. Why? Wish I knew, I rebuilt the entire engine because of low oil pressure and after I got it all put back together I still have zero pressure at any RPM once the oil is warmed up. That is with 15w-40 and running straight 30w. So far I have 6K on the engine with no problems. Keeping fingers crossed that it holds up for a long time, but like I said, all bearings were changed, yes intermediate shaft bearings as well, new oil pump, trust me I went through it all. I'm just wondering if there is a problem with the way the head was cast when it was made? Funny thing is I get 18 psi on start up at the head but run down the road exactly 3 miles and the pressure gage sits at zero. I do get oil pressure at the oil filter. At 55mph it reads 22psi and I get 12psi at idle.

Do you have a mechanical or electrical oil pressure gauge? If it's mechanical there might be a kink in the line between the head and your gauge. Or the ends of the lines are partially pinched - that can definitely happen if you:

a) Cut the line (the clamping pressure of a cutting tool can pinch the ends), or
b) Tighten the nut too much - the part that holds the line onto the sensor/head or gauge.

Just something to consider.

Yea, I checked the pressure gage. All the connections are good and no kinks. Just no pressure at operating temp. I wonder if I can get into the Guinness Book of World Records? :?:

Justin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:33:21 am »

yeah thats 20 psi at idle both 1.5's that i have had have been like this. and the 80 psi is at 55 with a 5 speed ff transmission

VWRacer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2005, 10:32:44 am »

Quote from: "Justin"

yeah thats 20 psi at idle both 1.5's that i have had have been like this. and the 80 psi is at 55 with a 5 speed ff transmission

Your oil pressure seems perfectly normal to me. Check back in another 100k... :lol:

935racer · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2005, 11:47:02 am »

Are you positive you lined up the holes on the intermediate shaft bearings? I've seen people not line them up at all, or have them offset and resulted in all sorts of low pressure oil issues.

935racer · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2005, 11:48:13 am »

Sorry if that sounded rude, but it could be an honest mistake.

VWRacer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2005, 11:53:11 am »

I just realised that Justin and I kinda hijacked the thread. :?

My apologies to all.

Otis2 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:03:12 pm »

Are the oil pressure specs the same between the hydraulic and mechanical lifter engines?

Seems I recall the mechanical lifter engines were supposed to make a lot more oil pressure, so maybe Justin's specs are not a fair comparison.

Rat407 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:54:28 pm »

Quote from: "935racer"

Are you positive you lined up the holes on the intermediate shaft bearings? I've seen people not line them up at all, or have them offset and resulted in all sorts of low pressure oil issues.

From what I can recall all is lined up. If for some reason the holes were off center wouldn't the oil pressure at the oil filter be really high?

As for the lifter, all are brand new and the head was gone over well, simply because of the low oil pressure issue in the first place before I had the engine rebuilt. I'm getting oil to the head, the massive oil leak that I had before the install of the rubber cover gasket was proof of that. So I have flow, or should I say volume, just not pressure.

Rat407 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2005, 05:16:53 am »

All bearings checked well within specs, matter of fact they were on the tight side. Also installed three oil pumps just because it made me feel better, not to mention it was real easy. I didn't install new oil squirters. Do you think they can be the issue? Can you even buy new ones?
Thanks for all the help.