Last year before I put my car away for the winter, it was running fine. The very last time I took it out, I noticed that the oil pressure was 20 or so psi lower then normal across the board. The day prevous, everything read normal, then the next time I start it up, everything is 20psi off.

So I went to go get it this morning. Here's what I noticed

When Cold: Old reading used to be 50-60psi, now only reads 40
When Warm: used to read 40psi at 2.5K rpm, now only 20-25psi
at idle: used to read 20psi, not reads 15psi.

The thing it I noticed is that when I was driving on the freeway @ 2.5-3K RPM, the oil pressure didn't move at all. Usually giving it throttle would make the oil gauge move a little, but now it just reads dead @ 22psi, not matter what.

The motor has 76K miles on it and I'm not that hard on the car at all (havn't been to the track in 2 years). I hear no strange noises (knock, ticking, etc.), so I don't think my bearing are going out. I'm hoping it's the pressure sensor going out on me.

Any other thoughts ideas? I'm just a little nervous about driving it until I figure out why . Thanks!

 

a few things

either it the pressure sensor or your oil pickup fell off, it sounds like its ur pickup , the only way to know is dropping teh pan

when u rev up ur oil pressure should rise with it

 

I think you're right. One day it was fine, then the next time I start it up it's acting funny.

As long as I'm easy on it, is there any harm in driving with it like this?

 

I would drop the pan it's cheaper and easier than rebuilding your engine.

 

I meant until I can drop the pan to check out the pickup.

 

i d k ive been driving my car around with about 15-20psi hott idle for a long but my pressure does rise to abotu 45 when i am on it , and i havent had a problem ,but maybe my pickup is still on ,

i havent had a problem yet and i dont really drive my car easy , but if urs had fallen off id prolly nto even drive it , id do it ASAP , if u have to drive it then make sure ur not being ot hard on it

 

I wouldn't drive it unless you had to. Low oil pressure under load is a good way to knock out bearings. I don't know what it is, but if you let the oil get hot and there's not enough pressure you'll start getting metal to metal contact, so until you can figure out if it's the pressure or just the reading it would be best to play it safe. And if you do take it out be nice to it of course.

 

Would no higher than 3K RPM be safe enough?

 

If i were you i would drain the oil then tap on the pan and see if you can hearr the pickup clanking around in there. Plus if the pick up is just laying in there i would worry about it geting knocked into something important.

 

That one's up to you.
You don't know anyone with a mechanical oil pressure gauge, do you? That could tell you pretty quick whether you should be driving it or not.