AAZ engine oil pressure

[Blue Haze]

I recently install a AAZ motor with supposedly 77k miles.  I have noticed that at 2000 rpm it carries only 30# oil pressure.  My 1.6 na motor use to carry around 60#.  Does the 1.9 AAZ motor carry lower pressure?  How much of a problem if there is one will this lower pressure be?  The engine runs great with no other problems
 

[Gizmoman]

Sounds a little low IMHO - what is the highest pressure it reaches when warmed up? How about at 3500 RPM?

[rodpaslow]

For a TD motor I think that is fine fully warmed up.  I have two cars, one a 1.6NA and the other a 1.6 TD.  What you describe is exactly like my two cars.  The turbo takes a certain amount of oil pressure and mine fully warm on a summer day at ~3100 rpm runs at about 30-32 psi.(now below 0 air temps it stays around 40 psi) Idle around 7-10 psi with 15w40 oil.  Weight of oil you are running will have an affect as well.

[Blue Haze]

What rodpaslow describes is just about exactly what I'm seeing and w/10-30 wt oil. I think at 2800 rpm I'm holding 35 lbs

[vanbcguy]

What rodpaslow describes is just about exactly what I'm seeing and w/10-30 wt oil. I think at 2800 rpm I'm holding 35 lbs

I think generally the recommended oil for these engines is 15W40 diesel oil... That can be a bit thick in the winter for some of the folks in the colder areas but given that you're in CA it should be fine year round.  Might not be a bad idea to consider switching. 

As a side note, is the 10w30 oil you are running diesel rated?  While it does exist, 10w30 diesel oil is not particularly common.

[wolf_walker]

Where one is taking the oil pressure reading is the first question to ask.  If it's at the head, probly ok, if it's at the filter flange, less ok.

Yes run 15/40

And I don't know of any reason, other than the turbo and the hyd lifters, that an AAZ should have less pressure really.
It has the larger oil pump the hyd head motors used. 

[vwnut84]

Your oil pressure is good with 30lbs (approx 2-bar) at 2,000 rpms, when measured at the head.  That is right at the spec for oil pressure, but I'd say the 10w-30 is too light for your climate.

As for the type of oil, the AAZ calls for VW spec 505.00 for the oil.  I know for a fact that the Castrol Edge (used to be called "syntec") 5W-40 meets VW501.01, 502.00 and 505.00 standards (Im actually looking at the bottle as I type this), and is also an API "CF" rated oil.  

That being said, I've been running the Castrol 5W40 syntec/Edge oil in my AAZ for the last 30,000 miles, and before that I was using either the Mobil-1 5W40 Turbo Diesel truck oil or Rotella 5w-40 synthetic.  I'd highly reccomend a good factory or MANN/Mahle filter as well (If you are not already).  

Whatever oil you decide to run for your perticular climate and driving habbits, make certian it has one of the oil ratings starting with a "C" for the API rating on the jug.  (CF, CH ect...)

[8v-of-fury]

I run Rotella 0w40 in all three of the diesel engines in my driveway. 1988 1.6 TD, 1996 1.9 AAZ, 1998 1.9 AHU/TDI

I get 75psi cold start at the head on all three below freezing.

[wolf_walker]

I had a switch on my 81 that I could toggle between flange and head oil pressure readings on an electric VDO gauge, it was interesting to observe at times.

I never thought the NA's were very hard on oil, the TD's could be in heavy use, AC and hill climbing in the summer back east for instance. 

[Blue Haze]

I'm measuring w/mechanical VDO gauge at the flange.  I'll change the oil and filter see if it makes any difference

[8v-of-fury]

At the oil filter flange?! Those are not acceptable numbers...

[wolf_walker]

Blue Haze, did you ever come to a conclusion on this?

[air-cooled or diesel]

30 lbs per ft is a little low for 15w40 at the HEAD, probably a little low reading. for the FLANGE its really low, more like 30 lbs/ft at idle(closer to).
i run 5w30 syn and at 2000 rpm im running like 30 lbs/ft and higher at 3000 rpm. although its been 6 months since i hooked up my oil pressure gauge.
vdo is a real good guage, but it is possible gauge is off. if you have a analog oil pressure gauge you can compare readings. electric senders can send faulty readings more often than analog readings, down side; electronic senders cost more, analog setups you need to run a 'oil line' to dash and gauge.

[8v-of-fury]

I have analog oil pressure and coolant temps. Love them.

I run 14psi hot idle at the head on a 0w40 full synthetic on a 500,000+ km AHU

[air-cooled or diesel]

im getting about 15 psi at hot idle with 5w30 syn. me motor.
having a seperate oil pressure gauge that you can find at an auto parts store (got mine at napa) helps to compare what your reading at dashboard to determine accuracy.