Hi,

I have a 1995 E220 and the oil pressure guage
always reads 3.0 ( The maximum). I know,
and have driven other cars, including other
E series, and the pressure guage always reads
low with engine at Idle speed & icreases
as the revs go up.
What could be the problem? Obviously a
faulty guage is a possibility. What other
Factors could be taken into consideration?

Thanks

Mehdi

It should drop slightly at idle then go up (peg) the second your foot touches the gas. Are you saying it stays pegged at 3 100% of the time? What about when the keys are out of the ignition? Does the gauge ever move for anything? Sorry to nag, but please clarify.

Lee

Sorry for not being 100% accurate on describing the problem.

The needle does indeed drop when the engine
is off. But it pegs up to 3 with the Engine
on and stays there.

How about with the key on and engine off. If it is at 3 bar then, well you have a problem with a wire or the sender.

------------------
Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

This spooked me, too, the first time I drove my E320. It is normal for the oil gauge to be "pegged" while driving, and low and fluctuating a bit while at idle (especially when in gear, at a light, in hot weather). This, though brings up a question. Why did MB design a gauge like that. It seems to me that it is just as valuable to know that your oil pressure is too high as that it is too low. If the "normal" position while driving is pegged, how does a person see if something is blocked?

Just curious,
John M

With the Key on & the Engine Off, the needle
is dropped down.

It is interesting that John also experienced
the same thing with his E320. Could this be
interpreted a "normal" with 94 onwards, E series? I have driven earlier model E series,
and the guage does drop down at Idle.

Cheers

Mehdi

My 190E oil presure gauge is also stay at
3 while driving, at idle, it drop between
2.5-3. Never go lower than 2. Well,I assumed it is ok.

They sound just fine to me!!

------------------
Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

I have heard that some "unscrupulous" people wanting to sell a benz with a "worn" engine will wire the oil pressure gauge up to the ignition so that it reads 3 (100%) all the time the engine is running. They use this as a "selling" point, failing to tell the unwary buyer how they did it! BEWARE!!!!!

Surley if it is hotwired to the ignition, then the needle will peg up to 3 as soon as the ignition is on - even with Engine not running.

Yes! it will show 3 as soon as the key is turned to "on", but they make sure they start the engine "BEFORE" you get in the car and only turn it off when you are out of the car. I know , it's been done to me. Luckily I took the car for a "test" on my own and "DISCOVERED" WHAT HAD BEEN DONE!

good topic. but where should the needle be at idle after cold start-up, at normal temp. idle? what about rpm at these stages?

[This message has been edited by edna (edited 05-09-99).]