Oil pressure gage needle not steady

[richard collette]

Just completed a 2000 mi trip and the 1971 --671's ran great however the port oil pressure gage needle moved around at times and even pegged and stuck on the high side--made me wonder but all seemed ok-the next day it was fine----what caused it and can it be fixed or can I replace the gage-was told no longer available--any ideas anyone?

 

[JLR]

Could be the gauge, the sender, the ground or perhaps even a pressure relief valve. Easiest first step is to swap the gauge or the wiring with the other side to see if you can start eliminating sources for the problem.

 

[Dan Mapes]

I'll bet on the sender, and you probably will not find a replacement. I went with new VDO oil pressure guages and senders. Problem solved.

 

[rmatt]

Go get a mechanical gauge and stick it in the oil galley. Leave it there as a back up. They don't lie. Then swap out the sender first if not that then the gauge. The next time there is an issue, just look at the mechanical gauge. I have a mechanical gauge on both engs and the gen. More than once had a bad sender and had to verify with the mechanical gauge to be sure there was oil pressure to continue the trip.
Bob

 

[Tim Powell]

I'll bet on the sender, and you probably will not find a replacement. I went with new VDO oil pressure guages and senders. Problem solved.

I had some of the same broblens with the 692 i had. SAM"S had the gages and the senders. Mine turned out to be just a bad ground on one and a bad sender on the other. But as said it is a good idear not to trust the electrial stuff. The mechanical does not lie usually. If the electrical go to the low side the big 0 is when you get the empty feeling. Tim