Hello,

Lately, my 300E has developed a strange thing....the Oil Pressure, at idle, is 0.5 bar, but when I rev the engine to above 1000rpm, the oil pressure goes up to 2.5 to 3.0 bar. I've check the oil level and it's at max. I've search the forums and it seems that this is normal? Can someone please confirm?

BTW, the oil pressure was at about 1.0 to 1.5 bar at idle about a month ago, and this is the reason why I am worried.

Thanks.

I also have a "88 300E, my first Mercedes-Benz which I have now had for a few months. My 300E has 200,000+ miles on it and the oil pressure will stay at the max of 3 when you step on the gas but will drop down to 2 at idle and sometimes go as low as 1.5 Being new to MBZ and because of the mileage on my car, I too have been watching the indicator closely. I have been told by a tech not to worry.

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Tony

1988 300E Pearl Black/light Gray leather interior

MBCA Member

As long as it's not zero, you're OK. Oil pressure at idle is not very accurately depicted by the factory gauge. At idle, you don't need a a lot of pressure anyway.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

This could possibly be an indication of something going awry, but don't overlook the fact that we are moving into warmer weather in this hemisphere. As ambient temperature goes up the hot oil pressure will decrease to some degree.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Thanks for all the responses!

Actually, I just looked at mine again....it's actually less than 0.5 bar at idle....quite close to 0 (i would say about 0.1 to 0.2). Does this sound like a problem?

Thanks again for the prompt responses!!

What's the mileage? Your oil pump may be getting tired producing decreased pressure at idle. However, if it pegs once you put on some revs, then you're probably OK. My '89 sit somewhere slightly above zero, but if you put a real pressure gauge on, I'll bet you'll see at least 20 PSI, which is more than enough at idle. Don't forget, that gauge is not a very precise instrument..

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 06-09-2000).]