fluctuating oil pressure?

[kreb]

i have a mechanical oil pressure gauge in my jeep. the needle moves back and forth over 1 to 2 psi's from the measured pressure. sometimes the needle stays still over the indicated oil pressure. i am assuming the gauge operates properly. could a vac leak cause this kind of fluctuation? what else might cause this? thanks

benjamin

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Vac would not do it, as nothing to do with oil pressure. 1 to 2 lbs variation at idle is nothing to worry about, what is the oil pressure? Fluctuation can be caused by dirty filter, pump wear, pressure relief valve, engine bearing wear. However if you have good oil pressure I would not worry about it. Does it drop then build back up when you rev it up?

[kreb]

the motor is a recent rebuild with new pump gears and timing cover. the idle psi is around 10-15. at 65 mph it is around 58 psi. these numbers are within spec right? the pressure does not go down when i rev. the needle does fluctuate at idle as well as highway speeds. thanks

benjamin

[79_Limited]

Originally posted by kreb:
the motor is a recent rebuild with new pump gears and timing cover. the idle psi is around 10-15. at 65 mph it is around 58 psi. these numbers are within spec right? the pressure does not go down when i rev. the needle does fluctuate at idle as well as highway speeds. thanks

benjaminThat sounds about normal from reading other responses over time. Mine reads what yours reads at idle but does not make it to 58psi but I am using the crap stock gauge.

[Bullet 38]

I found my stock oil gauge doing the same thing. Jumping around 2 to 3 psi. I found that my single wire hookup going to my gauge was covered with oil and dirt inside rubber boot. (located on block behind oil pump) I cleaned and put back on. Now read's steady 40 psi at idle and around 58 to 60 at 65 mph.