Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota FL
Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently.
My guage holds pretty steady but when I give it gass it twitches and spins and then returns to steady. Is there a way to fix this. Is it the sender unit? Mine is not very old? Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Mine does the same thing. I have seen other posts as well. I have replaced the circuit board and the sending unit and had the gauge rebuilt and still have the problem. I have a new wire with the boot for the sending unit and am planning on replacing that as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,468
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Marc, I do not believe it's the sending unit, as my '75 also does what yours does. I replaced my sending unit twice on the engine and it still does it. I believe my problem is now actually in my oil pressure gauge itself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Hmmm.... mine does that occassionaly when I'm cruisin' steady below 45 MPH. If I tap the gas, it'll go back to steady.
It's nothing I can't live with, but I'll be watching this thread to see if you or anyone else posts a fix.
Good Luck.
It's nothing I can't live with, but I'll be watching this thread to see if you or anyone else posts a fix.
Good Luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,468
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Matt Gruber)
they do that right before they blow up :D
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Paul Borowski)
they do that right before they blow up :D
I'm still waiting then, mine started this 20,000 miles ago :eek: :rolleyes:
I'm still waiting then, mine started this 20,000 miles ago :eek: :rolleyes:
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Grafton WV
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Laserjohn)
Hmmmmmmmmmm. Mine is just the opposite. It twitches at idle and then is rock steady when you give it a little gas. I just live with it.
:steering:
:steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
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Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Mine used to be rock steady until I pulle dthe dash apart to install the stereo. Now the thing is all over the place. I'm thinking it's the gauge :leaving:
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
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From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Yeller81)
If you have the ones with the plastic or copper tubing from the block to the gauge, air in the line will create pulsations. Not sure taking apart the gauge cluster and bleeding the line is worth it unless you happed to be in there, IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Mine does this too. Both before and after the rebuild. Don't sweat it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Charles IL
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Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
Just a thought, but couldn't vortexing at the pickup cause this? :confused:
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,101
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittentl
first you need a trustworthy gauge.
Oil psi should climb with rpm and then level off and be steady over 3000. 10psi per 1000 rpm so 5000 has 50.
When the pickup is too close to the pan it will drop off around 4500-5000, sometimes as low as 30-35 with hot oil (10w30). this check can be done stopped in neutral. just take your time and don't over-rev it. :smash:
Oil psi should climb with rpm and then level off and be steady over 3000. 10psi per 1000 rpm so 5000 has 50.
When the pickup is too close to the pan it will drop off around 4500-5000, sometimes as low as 30-35 with hot oil (10w30). this check can be done stopped in neutral. just take your time and don't over-rev it. :smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
On some stock pumps the driving gear covers part of the outlet port. As the gears move over the port it causes a temporary reduction in flow and a pulsating effect in the pump. This may be the problem some of you guys are having.
Mark
Mark
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2
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From: Hammonton NJ
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (Marc80)
I have an 80 and it did the same thing. I replaced the gauge and it didn't help much. I then took the wire off the sending unit cleaned the boot, strighten the wire and put it back on. It's worked perfectly ever since. :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
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From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: Why does the oil pressure guage flutter intermittently. (80c3vette)
Mine did this once as well. Once I put the two quarts of oil it was low on, all was good again. Yep, I was a jackass! :bb