After replacing my turbo drain seal today by removing my oil pan, and then refilling it with oil, I noticed on the way home (20 miles), that my oil pressure was starting to drop. Now it's under one on the guage at idle, and barely to 3 when running normally down the road. I stopped and checked for leaks, and there were none. I checked the oil level, and it's level and normal. Whats up with my Tuetonic wonder? I don't want to ruin my engine running it with low or no oil pressure. I also need to drive 20 miles back to the garage to fix anything. What should I check first? Filters, and maybe my sump screen? Anything else? Thanks in advance.

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1982 300SD 425k + miles

It might be the oil pressure sender that sends the signal to your gauge is failing. That is what mine did when it failed.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Check the oil level at the dipstick.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

I had exactly these symptoms - turned out the oil pressure sender had become slightly loose. After tightening it up, back to 3-bar immediately; problem solved.

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Simon Shearer

1986 420SEL

2000 Porsche 911 Millenium Edition Carrera 4
2010 Lexus RX 350
2002 Kia Rio
2002 Hyundai Accent

Are we talking mechanical or electrical sender? SD in question has an electrical one. But I concur, replace the sender and see what happens. Pretty quick and cheap test. After that, I concur that something might be wrong inside the pan.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks for your insights, guys. I'll check the sender unit wiring under the hood, re-check the oil level, and change the oil filter, just for good measure...

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1982 300SD 425k+ miles

Another question is when you changed the Oil did you change the Viscosity of your Oil.

If it is not the sending unit you will need to create a way to install a test Gauge.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

No I didn't change the viscosity of the oil. What's the test gauge for? How would I go about doing that? Thanks.

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1982 300SD 425k+ miles

If you have not loose sending unit wire and you replace the Oil Pressure Sending Unit and the Oil Pressure is still acting funny the next step would be to see what the Oil Pressure really is with another Gauge.

And, that is the problem. Where to connect a test Gauge.
On way would be to find a metric fitting that matches the Oil Pressure Sending Unit threads that has a way of hooking up a hose to it so you can run the hose to another Gauge.

NAPA may have them and there was a Member who posted a site that sold them. However, severa months ago I managed to erase 4 gigs of notes I had on all kinds of things and that site is now lost to me.

If you end up changing the Sending Unit; save the old one so you can match threads if you have to.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thank you everyone who helped me with this issue. Turned out it was partially an oil sender issue. What happened was the #5 cylinder post fuel injector rubber hose was leaking diesel fuel, which then ran down onto the sending unit and messed up the signal. The hoses were probably 3 years old, and needed replacing. $5.00/meter locally. I did so after steamcleaning the engine and watching what was happening near the sending unit. No problems now, and no oil or diesel leaks either.

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1982 300SD 425k+ miles

Odd the oil would mess the electrical sender up. Oil does not conduct electricity. It will speed up the rotting of rubber though. Perhaps some conductive junk like road salt got into the oil and you washed it off. I guess from now on I will wash the sendor well and check it before changing one out. I see it was not road salt in your location. Smog?