When first starting the car, the oil pressure guage deflects, and for about the first minuet I do see some minor deflections of the guage when revving the engine, otherwise and thereafter, the oil pressure guage stays at the zero mark.

Sugesstions?

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1982 300SD 300k+ miles

Check the connection to the oil pressure sending unit on the rear of the oil filter housing.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Which model and what year car? Some of the older ones actually have a line from the oil filter housing up to the gage, that runs oil pressure to the gage, not an electrical signal. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Yours is probably an electric oil pressure gauge. Most likely the bad component is the sender on the engine. Have a look under the hood to verify it"s electrical. Since it is not a high failure item on these cars grabbing one at an auto wreckers cheap should be a practical test and perhaps solution.
It could also be the gauge or a wiring/connection problem but the sender is more likely. I assume the cam is being lubricated and you really have oil pressure?

Jim,

This is on a 1982 300SD. I do have electrical all the way up to the dash.

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1982 300SD 300k+ miles