Low oil pressure

MNPULSAR · Apr 13th, 2003, 12:26 PM

I have a '88 pulsar with E16i that has problems with low oil pressure. When I bought the car the motor had pressure problems but not noticed until installed a pressure guage. Then replaced engine with a salvaged one - within a year that one gone too. rebuilt original motor - crank,pistons,oil pump. Still have low pressure. After starting cold get 75PSI then as warms up goes to about 25 at idle when warm gets about 5. No outside leaks doesn't use much. my guess is an internal leak that is lowering the pressure but where? Anyone have any experience with this?

Myetball · Apr 14th, 2003, 01:30 AM

I checked my '88 pulsar service manual. You should be getting 18psi at warm idle and 53-75psi at 3k rpm with engine warm and under no load.

The only advise it gives is to check oil passages and oil pump for leaks if pressure is low.

Edit: Only other thing I can think of is clogged oil pickup or leaking pickup mount gasket. Assuming you have plenty of oil and a good/new filter.

gspot · Apr 14th, 2003, 11:26 PM

Have you transferred any of the parts from engine to engine?

Are you sure about the gauge accuracy? How is the gauge hooked up? Could the way it is hooked up be causing the problem?

It just seems odd that all three engines have the same problem. There has to be a common link.

MNPULSAR · Apr 15th, 2003, 10:26 PM

The head was transfered as well as the acessory shaft were not worked. New oil pump, connecting rod bearings and mains, seals. Guage is nothing fancy - am looking for a good small one to fit under radio.

Thanks for the ideas