Low Oil Presser

[Michael S]

I have a 1996 Isuzu Hombre with 100,000+ miles 5- speed trans, when I start it up first time the oil presser is good around 60 lbs. when it gets warm the oil presser goes down under 40 -30 lbs. when idling?

Topic

[Lorrin Barth]

How was oil pressure when it was new?

[Michael S]

I purchased it used, never noticed it going down under 40lbs.

[Lorrin Barth]

The reason I asked is because 30 psi at hot idle seems pretty good to me.

[Michael S]

Thank you for the confidence I was told that if the psi is under 20psi-30psi it might be a oil sending unit, if not I was told to get rid of it the engine was going.

[Lorrin Barth]

Yeah, I’ve seen where the sender gets varnished and stops working. I drive a Mitsubishi and all it has for oil is a light and the light is set to come on at (I kid you not) 4 psi. That’s sorta like having a light on the dash for fuel that comes on when the tank is empty.

Anyway, it is nice having a gauge. But oil gets thin when hot and the pressure will go down. I don’t think your engine is shot yet. Watch the gauge and happy motoring.

[EricTheCarGuy]

If you suspect the oil sending unit, a good idea would be to check the pressure with a manual gauge to verify that you do indeed have that pressure. If the gauge reads the same as the one in your dash, your sending unit is probably good. If not, the sending unit might be bad. You might also find this video helpful.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Author]

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