That's normal. The gauge only goes to 3 bars and the normal oil pressure is higher than that at higher rpm. Is it around 1-2 bars at idle?

Hi

Not really, is all the way up all the time after starting, can be that related to a compression problem?

Thanks

Nothing to do with compression.

It normally goes to the top when its cold (even at idle). When it's up to temperature it will be all the way up while driving but should drop to 1-2 bars at idle. Take a look the next time you stop with a fully warm engine.

Hi I drove today about 5 miles, the temperature wen up to 75 -80 and the oil pressure was at the top of the gauge, do you have any suggestion what should I look for?, could be this a big issue for the engine?.
Today the weather was very crappy I in the morning then I have to go work, I didn't have time to adjust the valves yet.

Thanks

I really doubt you have a problem. The oil may not have been fully heated after just 5 miles, the gauge is reading coolant temperature. I can't think of an engine problem that would cause the pressure to be "too high" at idle.

What weight oil are you using? Is your idle speed fairly high?

It's also possible that your gauge is inaccurate.

Don't worry about the oil pressure. As long as its not at 0 or close to it at idle and remains at 3 bar when revved you don't have to be concerned. Oil pressure at idle is all over the place on these cars.

From the videos, I doubt you have a broken ring. More likely its just an older engine with lower compression. Adjust the valves, change the fuel filters, and watch that dipstick.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Hi

Thanks for the advice, I will get the gauge to measure the compression next week, today I couldn't resist and start with the valve adjustment, I found two cylinders out off range on the valves clearance, I also find that the valves move ok, I don't have tools to check how straight they are but I find out that three off the valve adjustment nuts are not true or either straight wen I rotate the nuts the gap between the camshaft and the rocker arm changes about .01 and 0.03, I don't know how bad or common that is.
I also find that the intake and exhaust are a little bit loose, the intake is very dirty to, the EGR is also very messy, many hoses are loose or just missing.

Seems like the car has been suffering from bad mechanical attention, so far I think the same about the broken ring, I doubt it, I will keep learning more about the engine and keep fixing it, so far Is been able to take me to work back and forward!.

Thank for the replays, I will take some pictures to post

Santiago

The oil is Cevron Delo 15Sae 40, that was the only one that i could find at the supermarket, maybe thats the problem, sumer oil, but it is only 45 at night here in Portland Or, I would sear for Rotella for the next time

Well, 15w40 is OK unless it gets very cold. Make sure the oil is rated for diesels, regardless of brand. Rotella is good, lots of people here use it.

I clean the intake manifold yesterday and I found out that the whole thing was really loose and gunky, I was wondering what would be the best additive or treat to put in the diesel to clean the engine?, and the exhaust, I'm thinking that maybe the best would be just taking the head out and do a manual clean/inspection and change some gaskets on the way.
The car was running with biodiesel, I saw different post about flushing and additives, but I would like to ear something more related to "repairing" this unattended engine.

Thanks

My oil guage shoots up to 3 bar and stays there. On 15w40 it never went down. On 5w40 it goes down to 2.7 bar. That's the lowest it has ever dropped.

__________________
-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

If the car has seen biodiesel, the fuel system may already be clean.
Change the filters, clean the tank strainer

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Thanks for the advice about the pressure, I think I'm going to change the filters and oil after I do the compression test and change some gaskets.
I feel that this engine is very noble, and can last a very long time, but imagine that was running with many low quality repairs here and there, the vacuum system is missing a big portion, I found the EGR valve and was a big carbon ball, intake manifold and exhaust was very loose, the engine is sitting in a couple off sardines cans lids, flex disc may need to be changed to.

Thanks

Santiago

It is a noble engine.

Don't take the head off unless there is a known problem. It is a load of work and it is easy to do something wrong unless you really know what you are doing.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Hi

I finally get the harbor freight compression tester and did a cold test with this results

cylinder 1 300psi
cylinder 2 350
cylinder 3 375
cylinder 4 370

Now I know that cylinder 1 is low, what can be the problem?, could be a valve or a broken ring?,
I will go for a drive and check the pressure later.

Thanks