So I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge on my Grand Am today. But it only reads 40 psi, if I rev it it slowly moves up a few psi then slowly goes back down. Is it possible I installed it wrong at the block? IE pushed the nylon tube too far into the fitting? It's not the gauge because I also tried the gauge out of my Z28, same thing.
Mechanical oil pressure gauge problem
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The the same gauge moves fine on one vehicle and slowly on the other? Is this a dash mechanical gauge? Have you tried a test mechanical gauge? That would be my starting point.
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
Could be reading correctly. Just reving motor doesn't change pressure much. How does it do with driving at different rpms? And when engine gets hot and idles?
I agree that plastic tubing might be a problem, make sure it is routed away from any heat (manifold, etc). If it gets a hole or melted, there goes your oil !
I agree that plastic tubing might be a problem, make sure it is routed away from any heat (manifold, etc). If it gets a hole or melted, there goes your oil !
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Thanks for the help guys, the car spun a bearing tonight.
Sorry to hear that.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
Braided line works well as well FWIW. I used copper tubing on mine without issue.
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
Braided line works well as well FWIW. I used copper tubing on mine without issue.
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
Seconded. Hot engine oil squirting on your leg from under the dash isn't pleasant.
Braided stainless is the way to go.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
Seconded. Hot engine oil squirting on your leg from under the dash isn't pleasant.
Braided stainless is the way to go.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
GM light and medium trucks of the 70's and 80's did. They were steel tubing.
Originally Posted By: morris
i have found out the hard way to ONLY uses steel break line tubing for a oil gauges. if you use the things that most people use you can have a failure. been there done that.
The engine flexes a jillion times relative to the car's interior. Metal lines fatigue and break.
Plastic is best. Maybe use some metal for a short run if the sensor is by a hot component, then tie it to a flexible one.
This is why no factory ever used all metal lines. There is always a flex line to the brakes, clutch, etc..
GM light and medium trucks of the 70's and 80's did. They were steel tubing.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
I have also experienced the joy of running hard and fast and then getting burnt by hot oil. It can really ruin your day!
Plastic lines can melt and burst. Ask me how I know.
I have also experienced the joy of running hard and fast and then getting burnt by hot oil. It can really ruin your day!
I remember a 70 Chevy pickup with metal line for the oil pressure gauge. IIRC it had about 6 coils in the line to either absorb the vibration, flexing, dampen or all of these i don't know.
Braided stainless IS a rubber line.
It is not a metal line.
Like I said, you need flex.
It is not a metal line.
Like I said, you need flex.
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