What is normal oil pressure ?

Hi ,

I have noticed that my GTA runs a good pressure when warm and not on idle but hovers between middle (3) and red when on idle when very warm. I have read here that most idle at 4 when warm? What is the norm for a v6 turbo? If I remember rightly my late GTA gauge has 0 / 3 and 6 as markers ( I will double check tonight)?

Wondering if I have an issue forming i.e the pressure relief valve sticking open or the pump? I never see the low pressure light come on and the oil level indicator on ignition gave up a long while ago.

Thanks
Brad

I wouldn't worry about it .You will see differences now and then .As long as it goes up with revs then all is usually OK .
The gauge isn't that accurate and there are differently scaled gauges anyway .It doesn't read bar ( cue JohnC ) it's just an indicator of good ,bad and indifferent .
If you are concerned then plug in a mechanical gauge .It should read about 2.2bar at idle and rise to 4.5 ish with 3/4K revs .

Do a Search and find the thread entitled Radiator.
Page 2 goes into much detail on gauges and pressures.

From memory, someone pointed out that there are two versions of the gauge for oil pressure.
Later cars (like mine) run on a lot less oil pressure at idle than some of the older models.

Later engines have a deeper oil pump so may be slightly different but still should be over 2 bar at idle .
Gauges are 0-3-6 or 0-4-8 but if you've really got 6 or 8 bar then you'll have bigger issues to worry about

Peter - Mine is a late 1990 car so that makes sense.

Lee - Thanks for the reassurance. yes it goes up with the revs nicely and the light never comes on and there are no noises from engine. I am going to show my stupidity now but where would I plug in a mechanical guage? Remove the current sensor and plug in there or somewhere else?

Was just reading some old posts the other day and saw some poeple reporting 4 on idle and got a little worried !

Cheers
Brad

Also thinking about it mine is a 0/4/8 gague I think now!

Take the sender out and plug in there .
Will's car after I'd rebuilt the lump and put in the o-ring that someone else forgot .......................
http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z110 ... I_6554.mp4

.....It should read about 2.2bar at idle and rise to 4.5 ish with 3/4K revs .

It should be noted that in order to get 2.2bar at idle, idle should be set at 900rpm, and the 4.4bar reading is taken at 4000rpm.
My Atmo idles at 650rpm and as such, when hot, the needle lies just above the line which is just to the right of the red band, and when driving normally lies just to the right of the 4 on my gauge.
New oil will show a slightly higher reading than old at idle.

How accurate is the rev counter ? That can also be out quite a bit

How accurate is the rev counter ?

Oh Yea of little faith

Ahh ! I see you also do not rely on 20 year old French gauges ,preferring good old British ones , judging by instruction font and casing , from the late 50's