dangerously low oil pressure

[madhatter_xe]

Does anybody know if I can get to the oil pressure regulator bolt without dropping the pan?

 

I installed an oil pressure gauge the other day and noticed, in horror, that when my truck is warmed up the pressure drops to 0 psi at idle. This is not good.

 

I am hoping 'maybe' the spring on the oil pressure regulator was jarred loose from hard wheeling or maybe my shady FRAM oil filter is the culprit.

I'm not really in the mood to have this engine rebuilt or buy a new one.

 

Edit: I should add, after some wheeling, my OP warning light blinked a few times, when I checked the sending unit it was full of water and dirt, so I figured that's why the light came on a couple times. So I yanked the sending unit and installed the oil pressure gauge instead.

Edited September 20, 2005 by madhatter_xe

[k9sar]

check your wires to the unit. A loose connection could easily trigger false responses. As to the ability to get to it easily... nothing is easy on a nissan

[madhatter_xe]

well I pulled the sending unit, so there are no more wires to send false readings. Now I have an oil pressure gauge, which is reading 0 psi at idle.

 

It may not be easy to get at regardless, but I'm wondering if I need to drop the pan to get to the oil pressure regulator bolt.

[88pathoffroad]

Change the filter first, it's only about $3-5. Go with a NAPA Gold or Silver series filter. Make sure the pressure hose line for the oil gauge isn't kinked, leaking or overly long, as an excessive length of hose can cause a drop in percieved pressure readings.

[madhatter_xe]

yeah, i'm going to do an oil/filter change tonight. I bought a Valvoline filter, but everybody keeps talkin bout how great NAPA is, so i'll give it a go.

 

The hose is what came with the gauge....it's probably about 5ft. from the fitting in the engine to the gauge under my dash.

 

I guess I'll see how it goes after the oil change, I'm putting some STP oil treatment in too.

Edited September 20, 2005 by madhatter_xe

[RedPath88]

Did you cut the presure line down to only what you need or is that 5ft the total length that was supplied in the package? Where possible, cut off any extra line you have and reconnect it to the gauge/block. (allow for engine/body movement)

 

Yesterday I bought a new set of fittings for my other trucks gauge, and it came with 6ft of plastic tubing..

 

Like 88 said, false readings can come from a hose that is too long. Also, check again for kinks.. not just ones that are there now, but also for any that have been "worked out".. because the hose could still be compressed a little where the kink was.

[madhatter_xe]

The current amount of hose being used is necessary, there are no kinks in the line.

 

My gauge does show up to 50-60 psi when started, then as the oil heats up and thins it eventually drops to 0.

[88pathoffroad]

You still running the same oil and filter?

[madhatter_xe]

I changed the oil/filter last night it has been holding steady at around 5-10 psi at idle. I think the problem was also that i was checking the psi while the truck was in gear, should've been checking it in neutral, with no load on the engine. It does dip lower than I'd like but I think the minimum is 5 or 6 psi so it should be allright.

 

Thanks for the help.