I had to make a run all the way down to Poughkeepsie (about 50 miles) and then to the place where I work, immediately after my stop, a non-stop drive. I drove about 100-125 miles in about an hour and a half.

I noticed that, after a good percentage of this drive, that the oil pressure started to falter while I was idling at a stop sign. It dropped to just a little over 1, and the needle was shaking. I turned the idle all of the way up, and the needle rose up to about 2.5...usually it would be pegged at the top.

Anyway, I drove it the parking lot of the building where I work, and shut it off. Came back outside after work (about 4 hours later....yeah, I make 10 dollars an hour and work 3.5 hour shifts, that is awesome for a kid my age) and started it up...the oil pressure was fine.

What happened, then!!?!!?!??

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

the oil pressure sounds normal. about 1.5 is normal for a warm engine at idle. what kind of oil are you using?

tom w

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[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.

in the filter media... The bulk cotton 'floor sweepings' (that folks here h8 to think are in their filter) get temporary channels formed in them after a period of time at hi rpm. This leads to a reduction in oil pressure (and less effective filtering) during/after a hi speed run.

but I don't think theres anything wrong w/ your oil pressure readings, sounds about the same as mine.

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Cheers,
Robert

I am using 10-30...it's some cheapo brand called "Super Tech" I try not to invest in expensive oil because I have to add a quart about every 100 miles.

Thanks for the info guys. I guess my oil pressure tends to run a little high for some reason....

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

Check your container-I don't think "Super Tech" 10W30 Wally World oil is diesel rated-I personally use the Mobil 1/Delvac/Truck & SUV (also from Wal-Mart), but with high usage, I would run the Super Tech 15W40, or the conventional Delvac 15W40. By the way, even on synthetic I see 1.5 bar after a long run at idle too.

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1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

Glinko, Listen to Bullwinkle... this is very serious.... you just think a quart of oil per $100 miles is bad..... check out what getting a replacement engine will cost...

Are you burning it... or leaking it ?

Even if you are burning it... it may just be something cheap and easy to replace like the valve seals....

My 240 was using about that much oil... had a bad copper washer on the oil pan drain plug, other little things.... and I was keeping it at ' full' instead of half way between full and add... these engines are sensitive to being overfilled..

But do not discount the need for Diesel rated oil....cheap insurance in the long run...

and with the correct heavier oil it may use and leak less. also dont neglect 3000 mile changes. if the oil is old it will burn out quicker.

tom w

__________________
[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.

it's been a little more than 2k since I last changed the oil.

The valve cover gasket was leaky, so I replaced it.


It still leaks because I grew impatient and did a crap job.


I'll start using a thicker, and also higher quality oil.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

your honesty is refreshing. the valve cover gasket is high quality rubber so just remove the cov again and see why it is still leaking. you may have a corner folded over. also the valve cov could be bent but in any case you prob have not ruined the gasket. so give it another try and i bet you can get it to stop leaking.

honesty and humility are very excellent traits. mistakes are made, it is how we deal with them that determines our character.

tom w

__________________
[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.