Posted By: W5Duster436
Pulsating Oil Pressure - 06/25/11 06:58 AM
Noticed today on my maiden voyage of the new engine that the oil pressure gauge seems to pulsate quite rapidly +- 2 psi or so. I ran either a -3 or -4 line from the block to the gauge and did not purge it. I have not seen this before and just wanted to verify whether the line needs purged or a restrictor or something to keep the needle from vibrating? It's an Autometer Ultra-Lite mechanical OP gauge.
Idle pressure is around 60 psi and running down the road is around 70 psi but the needle just rapidly vibrates.
Posted By: VernMotor
Re: Pulsating Oil Pressure - 06/25/11 02:03 PM
Well I have see this in my car lots of times. 3-4 diff motors over the years..but the same gauge. if you turn the car off and restart it..it would quit.?? worry me at first but after 20 years I don't even think about no more
Posted By: topside
Re: Pulsating Oil Pressure - 06/25/11 08:35 PM
The motor's just letting you know that its heart is beating and the gauge isn't stuck!
If it starts oscillating by a few more PSI I'd guess at a bypass issue or a filter issue after I'd bled the air out; the gauge in my Hemi car has been oscillating like yours for years but has had no problems; it runs a pretty large line. On my other cars - which have smaller lines - the gauges are steady.
Posted By: Twostick
Re: Pulsating Oil Pressure - 06/25/11 11:19 PM
With that big a line to the gauge, you are just seeing the pressure relief valve working.
Kevin
