oil pressure problem

[Harley818]

I've been driving the car fairly regularly for the last 2 months.
Oil pressure since the beginning was around 15 psi at idle, ramping quickly to 90 - 100psi.
I installed a new oil pump when I rebuilt the engine.

I just notice yesterday when I took it out that the pressure is 0psi at idle, and goes to 20 psi when I keep it to 1000 rpm. From there it goes up to 50 - 60 psi, but no longer up to 90 - 100.
I am using a new Prosport gauge with temp and pressure taken from the oil filter sandwich plate.

I am going to check the pressure independently, and hope that the gauge is the problem, but what should I check next?
I don't want to run it at low pressure if theres an internal issue.

[STiPWRD]

You could try a few things to troubleshoot (disable fuel pump and remove spark plugs first):
1. Unscrew the oil filter and crank the engine over a few times - oil should start pouring from the filter fitting if there is oil pressure near the oil pump.
2. Once you've established pressure at the filter, put the filter back on and unscrew the oil fitting going into the turbo. Crank the engine over and you should get oil coming from that fitting as well. This oil hose comes right off the block oil galleys so should be a good indication if they are also getting oil pressure.

[Harley818]

OK, good suggestions to make sure I do have pressure.

[greenbaygreg]

Hi, FWIW I had the same problem with the oil pressure sensor that came with the kit. Wild swings in pressure. Made in China. 3rd replacement works! Made me very nervous that I had internal problems. Start up cold 60 psi. Idle at running temperature 40 to 45 psi. Haven't looked back.
.

[Mark Dougherty]

very very common for the oil psi senders to go bad

[lclevert]

Oil pressure sensors are prone to going bad with vibration. Remote mount it if possible off of the engine.

[Harley818]

Hi, FWIW I had the same problem with the oil pressure sensor that came with the kit. Wild swings in pressure. Made in China. 3rd replacement works! Made me very nervous that I had internal problems. Start up cold 60 psi. Idle at running temperature 40 to 45 psi. Haven't looked back.
.

you are talking Prosport gauges and sensors?

[Harley818]

very very common for the oil psi senders to go bad

Oil pressure sensors are prone to going bad with vibration. Remote mount it if possible off of the engine.

OK, good to know.
I started it up today, and cold start it registered 80psi?????
I'll try another sensor.

[Mark Dougherty]

another thing you can check is
buy an oil filter cutter off ebay.
remove and replace your oil filter then take the old one and cut it apart.
then READ the tea leaves.
just a joke
really though look at the filter element for more than normal debris.
hope this helps
Mark D

[kaj750]

Being ProSport is the problem. Trust me, I'm very familiar with those gauges. They are useless, which sucks when you are monitoring vitals.