WhiteKnight

So I've done a search and the main consensus seems to be for reasons to have no pressure at idle are the sending unit, running with too thin of an oil or the pump is done.
I replaced the sender and the oil was done 3 weeks ago, and we added a bottle of Lucal stabilizer as well, so the oil itself should be fine. Is it maybe the pump? Can pumps slowly die or will it just cut out one day?

Is it still fine to drive my car? Since the problem came up a few days ago, whenever i've been at a red light I've just been sitting in neutral with my foot on the gas abit to get the rpms up abit so that the pressue rises. This tactic should be safe until I figure out the problem right?

Thanks

ede

zero oil pressure means your engine is self destructing. you need to see what you really have, screw a mechanical gauge into the engine.

sixpackmtrspts

JDF-Z28

Don't drive! Verify that there is no pressure and replace the oil pump if needed. That happened to me and after replacing the pump shes still going strong three years later.

WhiteKnight

well I only have no pressure at idle. When I'm driving I have pressure. When the engine is cold, I have pressure at idle too. As it is I'm only driving it to work n back at the moment which is about 5-10 minute per trip so it doesnt have too much of achance to warm up. Oh well, to my friends garage it goes tonight.

Mcdamit

I was gonna say change your oil pressure sensor $30 or just use a guage, if you have no pressure @ any point, you need a new engine.

WhiteKnight

the sender was replaced when i insured it for the summer. less than a month ago. And I have pressure, just not at idle once the engine is warmed up

Mcdamit

it maybe time to start asking around, that isn't a very good thing, you can generally pick up a good 305 for around $100, check pump if you haven't already. With any luck it is just the pump, oh and 15psi is low pressure, how many miles on the engine

AlkyIROC

Confirm oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. If you have oil pressure while driving around but no oil pressure at idle, doesn't mean everything is fine. If a mechanical gauge says you have 15 psi at idle and the dash gauge says zero then you can start troubleshooting the sending unit or the gauge. If the mechanical gauge confirms you have no oil pressure at an idle, I'd start considering tearing the engine down. I doubt it's the oil pump but think it's more likely a bad main bearing.

ede

i think the answer he's looking for is "don't worry about it, everything is fine"

R1UK

I would worry
Oil pressure is always best when oil is cold, as oil heats up, oil thins, clearances expand and pressure drops, thats normal, but it should never drop to zero.
Low oil pressure is usually a sign of worn bearings, or sometimes a worn pump.
Over the years ive found its been mainly bearing wear.
Never trust electrical oil pressure gauges as much as a good old fashioned mechanical gauge. I have an old smiths unit with a yard and a half of pipe so i could take a car out on test, and check pressure accurately while driving or at idle.
I certainly would'nt wait too long in the hope it cures itself.