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Old 06-21-2016, 11:20 PM
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1981 380SL Oil Gauge

I recently purchased my first Mercedes, 1981 380SL. I see a few negative opinions here about the '81. My issue is that the oil pressure gauge is buried (maxed) when I press on the accelerator. With my foot off the gas, the gauge drops down to just under "3". So, the gauge needle is always super high. Is this normal? Thanks!

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Old 06-21-2016, 11:35 PM
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This is normal. When you're "on the go" the needle will "peg". When you're at idle, engine hot, in Drive, it should be somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5ish. Sometimes when the sender fails, they stay at 3 all the time, but if you're seeing it dip down, that's normal behavior. My 500SL never dips below 2 after it gets to operating temp.
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Old 06-21-2016, 11:48 PM
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Thank you. What quick assistance!!
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Old 06-22-2016, 08:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by corbitt View Post
Thank you. What quick assistance!!
The big deal with the 1981 is that it has a thinner, less robust timing chain.

That can be changed, I'm sure someone here has done it.

Oil wise: I always check the oil sending unit and occasionally clean it out with a little bit of fuel or brake cleaner. I had one stick on me once, and I had one where wires went bad and resistance reduced the reading. Changing it if you are base lining the maintenance of the car is not a bad idea.
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Old 06-22-2016, 03:45 PM
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if it was not doing that - thats when you need to worry

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