DeTomaso Mailing List: December 97, Message #8
     



From: 	"Paul Timko" <TheDrol@classic.msn.com>

Subject: Oil Pressure

Date: 	Tue, 2 Dec 1997 02:21:09 +0000



Now that my car is running, I have been driving it as much as possible.  In 

spite of the fact that the temperature has been between 20's and low 40's and 

the heater isn't working.  I've noticed something strange about my oil 

pressure.  The engine gets up to 70C within a few blocks and stays there.  The 

oil pressure is pegged (70 psi) for at least the first 15 minutes of driving.  

At this point I notice that it hops around.  Between 45psi and 70 psi and 

quickly. If it is low and I push on the gas it jumps up.  I even witnessed 

short stint (5 minutes) where the oil pressure was 35psi (the car was well 

warmed up) and it didn't respond to engine RPMs (800rpm-2500rpm no pressure 

change).  So I have four different theories why this is happening and was 

looking for some help.



1.  The oil level is low/or the pickup isn't in the correct place.  This is 

causing it to pick up air and therefore I'm losing pressure.  My dipstick is 

the "stock" length, but it always reads 2 quarts high.  I know this is an 

incorrect reading, because I only ever add 5 quarts and a oil filter each time 

I change the oil.  The last time I switched to a Fram HP-1.  This filter is 

larger so could I be low on oil?



2.  As the oil starts to thin out but unevenly (before the engine is really at 

temperature?).  The pump works differently until all the oil is the same 

viscosity?  I'm just guessing here.  Remember it is cold here (20's) and the 

oil pan might be cooled be the air going past it.



3.  The oil is all up in the heads and not draining down fast enough until I 

push the car a little?



4.  The pressure sending unit is flaky?



I'm tempted to add oil.  But without a dipstick or any way of verifying the 

amount of oil I have in the car, I'm a little worried about adding too much 

and getting the vortex effect to rob all my oil pressure.  



Any other ideas? Or experiences?

Thanks

Paul #9270