Author Topic: Mechanical oil pressure gauge install question?? (Read 6410 times)

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:26:40 pm »

I had a temp gauge sender in the spot at the oil filter and it restricted the flow to too low a pressure and i got the buzzing in the dash from the pressure sender in the head. I had to relocate it to the top of the head (swap the pressure sender for the temp sender).

Just a side note.
effin sick avatar btw.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:56:23 pm »

Quote from: "arb"

I think you would see it at the filter (Post filter - as in the pressure the very first bearing sees.) Here's why - Blown cam tower = more flow = drop in pressure seen at the filter exit. Blocked Cam Tower passage = increased reading at the filter exit.

The VW engineers must have had a similar thought as they put their gauge sensor at the filter exit and the warning light sensor at the head.

I suppose.

I have considered moving my gauge down there just to see but hell I get 80+ psi at the head when I fire it up. Wonder whats down there? I don't think I want to know.

just for kicks though if I get home before dark tonight I'll see about moving it down just for reference.

theman53 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 14, 2009, 04:07:25 pm »

I am with you zukgod on the location. On all the SBCs we put together for circle track racing we always went with at least one sensor in the head as it is last to get oiled. It will also be the first to loose it if say your clutch explodes and pieces of it fly through the oil filter and cause it to leak. Yes that happend and when you are making 100 psi at the filter it takes awhile for it to show off of the filter base. We had 2 oil psi gauges and the one at the filter was still showing 20 psi when the head had nothing and was shut down.
FWIW Any guage is better than nothing and at least you'll have a reference point to go from. I liked the 2 gauges in the race car, but eventually you'll end up with 20 gauges to watch and still be trying to drive so it isn't practical in a car for the street. My .02

ein bora · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:10:03 am »

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what if you took a line off of both spots and ran them into a "T" and then to a single gauge, wouldn't you then get a balanced reading??

zukgod1 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:02:36 am »

the pressure out of the filter mount would overpower the head reading.

Not to sure what you would see on the gauge.

The line would charge the oil galleys in the head so I doubt it would be a bad thing really.

Hmm, there are always other ideas out there it seems.

arb · « **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:32:00 am »

Quote from: "truszip"

Sorry if this sounds stupid, but what if you took a line off of both spots and ran them into a "T" and then to a single gauge, wouldn't you then get a balanced reading??

Interesting idea. For aircraft with dry sumps, some of the engines have multiple oil lines from the supply pump. Would be interesting. Might even help the cam last longer.

I agreee with zukgod1 - I don't think it would harm anything :-)

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:49:53 am »

Yet another angle fwiw:

Being an electrical engineer I like to solve these mysteries of the universe with wires and solder and stuff... one gauge, one switch, a sensor at the head *and* a sensor at the flange:

The switch spends 99+ % of the time watching the flange sensor. Why? Because that's the only spot that VW publishes what the pressure *should* be, and I've retained the pressure warning switches at both locations so I'll know if I lose pressure at the head via a different system.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:52:40 am »

If you have electrical gauges that's the shiz right there but those of us that have mechanical gauges are kinda limited.

I don't have a Bentley here Vince what does VW say the pressure needs to be?

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #23 on:** January 15, 2009, 09:24:58 am »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

I don't have a Bentley here Vince what does VW say the pressure needs to be?

Minimum 2 bar at 2000 RPM at the flange, engine at operating temperature (rad fan has cycled once).

zukgod1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2009, 10:55:43 am »

I have that at my head, bet that means I'm good

arb · « **Reply #25 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:30:13 am »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

I have that at my head, bet that means I'm good

Yeah, you should be golden. But, this is just an indicator. The exact pressure is less important as the trends. There are electronic engine monitors in small planes that watch trends and give you warnings if things change. Aircraft Spruce sells them.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:39:03 am »

And I suspect there is a reason we dont have them on our cars.

Not needed when your not flying at 10000ft.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:13:48 pm »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

Not needed when your not flying at 10000ft.

Dunno 'bout you guys, but I definately fly.... ;-)

zukgod1 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 15, 2009, 01:16:44 pm »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Dunno 'bout you guys, but I definately fly.... ;-)

For some reason I have no doubt!

jtanguay · « **Reply #29 on:** January 16, 2009, 12:16:51 pm »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

Quote from: "jtanguay"

best spot is the filter flange. the side of the head won't give you the actual oil pressure.

There ya go.

I'm looking for an explanation on this comment.

so my statement is correct, but if you would want to put a gauge at the side of the head, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Zero pressure from the head could indicate a problem (obviously). the actual oil pressure will be found at the flange where it indicates in the manual.

as for increasing pressure, would this kit work on a vw??? my hot idle oil pressure at the filter flange is about 15 psi. and it must be at least 25 psi @ 2k pm, but no way to confirm rpm's (yet) - all this is due to my bypass filter being installed. i figure if i just 'modify' the oil pump that it can supply the extra bit of oil pressure required and everything will be normal. surely someone has fooled around with these pumps to increase pressure like the big block V8 guys?