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Oil pressure fluctuation

Last post 10-12-2006, 6:01 PM by Steve12955. 1 replies.
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  •  10-11-2006, 3:29 PM 416

    Oil pressure fluctuation

    I have a 74.5 B which registers on the oil pressure gauge a fluctuation or bouncing from 65 down to 35 psi back and forth running at 2800- to about 3200 rpm; this is the only time it happens and in every gear. Higher or lower rpm's and it remains constant at about 65psi. I need to get it into the shop for its gear fluid changes soon and will probably replace the oil pressure relief valve to prehaps a higher one. Does this sound like a problem that any one else has had? Any other remedies or something else I should be looking into to? Any help is better than none, Thanks.
  •  10-12-2006, 6:01 PM 742 in reply to 416

    Re: Oil pressure fluctuation

    The gauge in your car is electrically operated and is controlled by an oil pressure switch located on the passenger side of the engine adjacent to the oil filter housing: it's about an inch and a half in diameter with one terminal and has a braided oil line coming out of it.  If the needle fluctuates with sudden changes between the high and low readings, then it is surely electrical so I'd suspect either the switch (expensive) or the wiring (doubtful, but cheap to fix).  The oil pressure relieve valve is located on the driver's side towards the rear of the engine and is nothing more than a plunger and spring.  You can increase its relief pressure (causing a modest increase in oil pressure in the engine) by adding a copper washer of the proper diameter under the spring, in effect increasing the spring tension.  It is a bear to replace the relief valve as you have to simultaneously push in on the nut with increased spring pressure while trying to catch the threads so I'd only attempt this if you are particularly nimble in tight spaces.  My bet is it's the oil pressure switch.  Good luck.