I notice that at idle speed, both of my 300's are around 1.5 to 2 on the oil pressure gauge. When you add rpm's they get up to 3. My question is, "does it hurt the engine to idle when the pressure gauge is lower than 3"?

Thanks

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

The readings you give are correct.

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

The idle oil pressure could be as low as 1 or maybe even less with no problem as long as the oil pressure pegs the guage when you step on the gas.

Good luck,

As cold weather approaches then you wouldn't be afraid of longer idling periods at such levels?

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Appreciate the advice as my Volvo Diesel experience is different due to not having the same type of oil pressure guage. I enjoy letting them run during the winter a bit.

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Hi Don, I think your glove box owner's manual will mention this "phenomenon". I was pleasantly surprised to read in my owner's manual that this was totally normal. I kept thinking of my old 1970 Dodge Sweptline pickup truck that did the same thing. Obviously that was NOT normal.