Just swapped the gauge cluster on my '77 300D that is on the LH side which includes oil pressure, fuel level, and temperature. The donor guage cluster was from a late '70s Euro 240D, I believe, as it reads in Celsius and bar. Anyways, the oil pressure gauge snaps to 3 bar on startup, which is normal, but stays there even at idle and when the engine is turned off. It does not respond to variations in engine speed, including idle. A few moments after the engine is turned off, the guage will snap down to 1 bar, and continue to decline to zero pressure within 1-2 seconds after that.

Why would the gauge exhibit this sticky behavior? The original gauge did not behave that way. I was thinking of lubricating the gear train from the bourdon tube to the needle pivot with (what, sperm oil?). Any thoughts here?

Gerry Reynolds
'77 300D
'95 C220

Could be the paint on the needle. Pull the gauge out again and look for a little peg shaped indentation on the needle- if there is one, try to flatten it out with your fingernail.

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Andrew

1989 Volvo 745- 202K

Sounds like you need too look for another gauge, cant you use your old one? gauges reading in Celsius and bars were used in US cars also.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"