Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 12:10:36 -0700
Reply-To: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil pressure
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS2929582CACBD0D2CE5DD7FCA09F0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Dennis is correct, they are both after the filter, and both are before any delivery to the bearings. The pressure reading at both ports will be the same.
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 9:56 PM
To: 'Jeff Schwaia'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Oil pressure
Actually the oil pressure port layout is deceiving. For years also thought the rear switch port was before the filter. It is not. Both are after the filter.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Schwaia
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2015 6:57 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Oil pressure
Actually, the only difference between the two oil pressure locations is that one is before the oil filter, and the other is after the oil filter.
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 3:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Oil pressure
I prefer the cam location simply because knowing the pressure there is the most critical. Oil pressure leaks down at the bearings, and this measures it at the bearings.
Full oil pump pressure is delivered to the filter/sandwich plate, so you will likely see a somewhat higher pressure there as the engine wears, as compared to the bearings, but probably not much higher.
The important thing is to watch the long term trend of the pressure drop, which is inevitable. When you get below 8 psi at hot idle and 20 at 3000, start saving for a new engine. Six psi at idle and you are on borrowed time. BTDT-my experience with a used 2.1 engine:
OIL PRESSURE: 8 psi at idle, 24 psi cruising when installed. Over the next 10,000 miles pressure steadily dropped to 4 psi idle, 12-15 psi cruising. At the end of the 3000 mile trip idle pressure was zero (red light came on), cruising 8 psi. Blew up at 65 mph just 65 miles from home, still running strong!
I'm hoping for one more year from my current 1.9 with the same initial oil pressure.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 2:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil pressure
I've got two oil pressure guage setups. One takes pressure from the pressure switch that monitors oil pressure at the cam. No oil temps. It has a pressure guage only. The other is a sandwich device that takes oil pressure and temperature between the oil filter and oil cooler. Of these two, which would be best. Opinions? Why?
Thanks,
John