low oil pressure or bad sensor or something else

[John J]

My oil pressure has been different lately and I am not sure why. Its used to read 3/4  to high and then drop to mid point when the engine warmed up. Now it reads 3/4 to high  but will drop down to nothing once the car warms up. The sensor is about 4 years old. I did pull the wire off and clean the post. That didn't make a difference. I have a extra sensor so I will change it out next. Car starts and runs fine. oil level on the dip stick is good.   The only work I did to the engine was changed out the valve cover gaskets.

Thanks

John

 

[Don C]

I have a mechanical oil pressure gauge that I use for these situations, along with a variety of fittings, that I have had for many years.

You can get a gauge kit at Harbor Freight:

https://www.harborfreight.com/engine-oil-pressure-test-kit-62621.html

A mechanical gauge shows minor fluctuations in real time. Useful for spotting worn bearings, especially main bearings, when there's a lot of change from acceleration to deceleration.

 

[delawarebill]

yes put a pressure gage on it to be sure.. but if hot idle and no valve tapping then good chance not the pump but gage or sending unit.

 

[Blue Mach 429 CJ]

Make sure you pay attention to the fuel gauge and temp gauge when you see the oil pressure fluctuate. If the other gauges move in time, could be a constant voltage regulator issue