Low Oil Pressure M103

[Okie Ken]

Hello folks, this is the first time I've posted anything here and I'm looking forward to your help.

Here's my situation: I've owned Mercedes for over 40 years, and 3 years ago I purchased a 1988 300CE M103. The car has been fantastic, up until this last winter. We had a long winter with lots of snow, cold weather, and the car sat for about 3 months. When I tried to start it, it would NOT start. It would turn over but not fire. I thought it might have been bad gas.

I replaced the spark plugs, distributor cap, and rotor. The car immediately started but idles very rough. For the first time ever the oil pressure did not go to a full 3. It was close but not like it was before. I drove it out on the highway and when I came back in town, the rough idling improved. However the oil pressure still has not come back to where it used to be.

The car has 175,000 miles on it but I feel has been well-maintained. My question is, what would cause the oil pressure to suddenly not be as strong as it was prior to this winter? Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated. I use a full synthetic oil 5w40.

(The car starts right up but does hesitate and runs a little rough when taking off. Once on the roads it runs strong with plenty of power but something is not quite right.It is as if the car needs to burp to get back to normal. The oil pressure used to bang straight to 3 but now slowly rises to just below 3.)

Thanks.