Printable View
Hey, just got a free prosport oil pressure gauge and am gonna get it installed soon. Noob question tho...:o How do i read an oil pressure gauge? What readings should I be looking out for?
I know low oil pressure is bad but I read that people can determine when to change their oil and stuff from what the gauge reads... :\ and when in vtec, is oil pressure meant to drop?
Cheers
where did you read this?Quote:
Originally Posted by UNA91
on cold start the oil pressure will be above 95psi ..once warmed up it should drop to 60-70psi .. ..which means its safe to VTakk her .. ..
if the oil pressure (psi) is below 30...then you will need to check you oil levels - top up if needed.
never let your oil pressure drop below 30psi .. as this will cause engine damage due to low oil levels etc.
ive never heard of the oil pressure being the indicator of an oil change...but oil level being low then yes this can be indicated by using a oil pressure gauge if the reading is below 30psi.
^ah i guess it sorta makes sense; i must've misinterpreted the oil change with low oil levels lol >.>
Also, how many amps would the gauge use? I'm wanting to put an inline fuse to the powerwire
Most gauges illumination bulbs only use 0.5v-1v per wattage. In your case the bulb might be a generic 7w T wedge type. If u google for wattage/voltage to current amps conversion im sure u can do the maths from there.Quote:
Originally Posted by UNA91
Sorry i cant remember the formula but im sure google would know :)
Im sorry but thats wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by IV73CI
Ideal oil pressures for each engine will be specified in the factory service manual. when hot and at different rpm.
Giving a blanket statement like "cannot drop below 30psi" is incorrect.
Example. Honda EG Civic - FSM, as well as Honda Integra FSM.
At 80deg C at idle should be 10psi minimum, at 3,000rpm 50psi minimum.
Oil pressure will vary slightly depending on what thickness oil you are using, but read the manual specific to your car to determine minimum oil pressures.
My cold start oil pressure (D16Y1) sits at 75psi.
When at 80deg C @ idle 15psi, and about 60-65psi @3,000rpm
edit: on further checking through the manuals pretty much every honda motor requires the above minimum oil pressures
coming from MY experienceQuote:
Originally Posted by markismaximus
ive own 40cars in my entire driving history (since i got my Learners) all modified cars from Turbo, superchargers, NA heavily modified cars all with Oil pressure gauges, etc.
just realistic - oil pressure 10psi or below on IDLE is just not right. it could drop to that point (on sudden stops, high revving) but should rise once the car has idled and normal engine temp has settled.
NEVER ALLOW YOUR oil pressure to drop below 30psi on IDLE, Normal engine temp (warm) and this is not a blanket statement its a true life experience and a general fact.
You are right in some theory/practical sense, and yes your right too depends on the oil thickness, engine oil pressure system condition, age of the engine, typical driving conditions are also a factor.
ok, so HONDA is wrong? All the service manuals stating oil pressures must be wrong? I said 10psi at idle is the MINIMUM as per the FSM.
Download all the manuals and look for yourself, its under the engine lubrication section of the manual. Facts don't lie mate.
Here ---> http://www.spoonertuner.com/manuals
Honda Manuals are reference guides and often will change due to wear and tear of the engine. Therefore readings, quantity will no longer be close to the ORIGINAL manufactures specs. UNLESS your going to REBUILD your entire motor back to OEM spec.Quote:
Originally Posted by markismaximus
when noobs ask for help or answers, they are looking for REAL life experiences/answers unless they state "need answers to OEM spec" ..in this case its an overall experience/answers.
Manuals will never be as accurate as circumstances changes. but YES your Manual guides are correct if the topic was based on OEM spec.
Manuals are guides, but when it comes to REAL life experiences these books are often put aside and you learn from your own mistakes or experiences.
i always read manuals before installing/building anything, but at the end of the day these products are never manufactured to what the manual says, theres always a slight modification required or missing.
thats my two cents yo.
back to OP - there no need for bible stories etc :P
I respect your opinion/experience but disagree with it. Your statement is also contradictory.Quote:
Originally Posted by IV73CI
If the pressures specified by honda are OEM (with new motor) then the pressures would be even lower once the engine is worn. So therefore the pressures stated cannot be new build OEM spec.
Guess what I'm saying is if you say the oil pressure should never be below 30psi every honda engine on here would need a rebuild in your opinion? Do you know what your current oil pressure is on your honda? What were all your previous cars? all hondas?
Your incorrect IV73CI, i dont know where you pulled that minimum 30 psi figure from but different engines require different pressures. Op has a ep3r listed as his car under his avatar so would assume this is for a K20.
Minimum oil pressure test for K20a3, should be similar to Op's engine.
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/...2/Untitled.png
ive had a mitsubishi lancer / frank vtec turbo .. oil pressure on idle is around 60-70psi .. this is a heavily worked motor bottom to top.Quote:
Originally Posted by markismaximus
my old GTR32 oil pressure was round 80-90psi ..this is because the idle was set on 1000rpm ..due to the larger single T66 turbo.
VR4 Legnum TT stock motor just with minor intake/exhaust bolt ons = 50-70psi
Corolla GTi 4AGZE built in oil pressure gauge in the dash showed middle line = 45-65psi (max reading was 120psi)
i can list them all .... lol..
right now my EM1 is pending for an oil gauge install (just waiting on the gauge to arrive from US) - once i install this ill let you know what the reading is for a B18/B20 frank All motor build bottom to top 11.3.1 CR . definitely the oil pressure on this should be higher than oem spec.
So im not contradicting, im stating/trying to say is that oil pressures will differ from motor to motor (compression ratio can also be a factor here) , it will all depend on your motor / mod setup which will make your oil pressure fluctuate. but if your car is OEM stock as a rock and in a immac condition - then oil pressure should be close to oem spec.
otherwise it will be different.
at the end of the day ... oil pressure is important, the easiest way to know if your oil is low is just check the oil level dip stick :P FTW!! whooopp!!
again ..these are manuals/guides.. for OE spec motor/oil.Quote:
Originally Posted by TbM
use a different oil (not OEM honda oils), install a aftermarket cams, start porting the head, change pistons to a higher/lower CR, change your oil pump to a high flowing type then do an oil pressure reading ..i bet it aint OEM spec anymore :)
i dont doubt what the manufacturer/honda made their engines to have at OEM spec but once u start modifying then it will change. just like any other cars.
thats what im trying to say ... :)
Corolla GTi 4AGZE built in oil pressure gauge
which model was that? - pretty sure the AE92 GTi we are building at the moment doesnt have one?
i think the JDM model got a digital dash?
Ae92 SX and GTi with the 4age had an oil pressure gauge in the dash.
AE92 + 4AGE discussion moved to here...
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...30#post3206330
When all else fails, consult Honda.
Real world figures oil pressure figures for B series for example. 25-30 psi at idle, 75-80 max psi. K series I would think very simular.
Been covered before here:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...re-Temperature
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthr...r-oil-pressure
Thanks guy! The debate is great, i'm actually learning alot from it haha I guess i'll just have to see for myself what my car will read when I get to installing it once I bring the car for a general service
^^Quote:
Originally Posted by DLO01
Real world Figures = Real life experiences..
Great response .. so others have actually experience the same readings as mine/similar.
THREAD CLOSED :)