Folks-

I'm wondering what is normal behavior for the oil pressure gauge. I am currently running Delo 15-40 diesel oil with about a 1/2 quart of Lucas oil additive mixed in on the last oil change.

At cold start in the morning, it takes a few seconds for oil px to register on the gauge unless I give it a little throttle--then it shoots up pretty good.

When driving with good rpms the needle pegs onto the 45 psi mark.

When warm at idle, the needle will fall off the 45 psi peg down to 30 psi or so.

I understand that factory gauges can suck and it's best to put a mechanical gauge in there (as I've done with my Toyota). So I'm just wondering if this is normal behavior or ?

Thanks,
B

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1978 240D 4 spd. manual
1983 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42 Diesel 5 spd.

Both biodiesel powered

Bump

Just wondering if this is normal/if others experience the same thing.

If not, should I be running a heavier oil?

Engine is rebuilt but has over 200k on the rebuild.

B

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1978 240D 4 spd. manual
1983 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ42 Diesel 5 spd.

Both biodiesel powered

that sounds fine. when at idle while warm you can have as low as .5 bar (really really low) oil pressure. but when you press the thottle it must peg instantly. I do not condone of the use of oil stablizing products they are all crap especially lucas. the only thing i would suggest using is really thick oil like STP but that is all.

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

Lucas makes some of the best products Ive ever seen why do you think there so bad ?

Why do you need to add an additive to the oil? There is a popular oil site that shows the comparison of diesel oils, with and without Lucas added to it. The oil with Lucas showed undesireable foaming, not to mention that MB doesn't recommend oil additives.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I have not used it in my diesels yet, but customers at our shop have and have had no problems at all on guy had a 7.3 PS Ford uses it ever oil change and has 600K on it and still nice and clean inside and runs great. I have used the oil and fuel products in both of my saturns Ive had I beat them to death (red line shifts quite often) and I havent blown a motor yet my 97 had 140K on it before a drunk smushed it and it didnt leak or burn a drop between changes

BTW, the factory gauge is mechanical on your car, if it leaks it will drip on your foot (ask me how I know), they usually work well.

As the others have said, your car's oil pressure sounds normal.

It's 100% normal.