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Mon Dec 02, 2013 3:38 pm

Hi guys,

I just got my buggy back a couple weeks ago. Love driving it. However, i was curious as to what the oil pressure should be at at idle. There is a light and gauge setup. Looks like the light kicks on when it dips below 25. So after starting, sometimes the light is green at idle until i give it a little gas. The. It is ok.

Is this normal?

Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:16 pm

Not enough info on the engine or oil that you're using. Lots of factors, thicker oil will give you higher pressures and vice versa. I've had pressures on my old 1776 vary from 15psi at idle during the summer to 25 in the winter using straight 30 weight. Sounds like you have a gauge to measure by... does it ever dip below, say, 10 or 15 psi?

Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:19 pm

The stock oil pressure idiot light in speedo turns on at something like 2 PSI - 3 PSI based on the stock VW switch. What switch/gauge setup are you using? Stock switch in conjunction with aftermarket gauge & switch?

bryan

Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:18 pm

Actually I think switch brings light on around 7 PSI... ITs not uncommon for it to drop to "zero" at idle, but should come up about 10psi for ever 1000 rpm up to 40 psi or so.... So if you are cruising at 3000rpm oil should be around 30 psi...

Dale

Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:43 pm

Not to start any arguments, but the rating on the 021919081B oil pressure switch shows 2-6PSI or 0.15-0.45 Bar - meaning it is going to come on somewhere in that range. Obviously, indicating at a higher PSI would be better for advanced warning! ;) My luck would be that it would trigger at 2-3PSI after the start of damage occurring...

bryan

Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:53 pm

I'm getting similar numbers as the guys have mentioned with my 1776: 15-25 at idle, and 10 PSI for every 1,000 RPM after that. That's when it's warmed up.

I have a full flow filter and cooler (in addition to the stock doghouse cooler), so I need to give the throttle a blip or two after a cold startup in order to build oil pressure. That's fine, as the alternator needs the same thing in order to start charging. Once oil pressure has built up it stays between 50-60 PSI at idle until it warms up, then it gradually lowers to the numbers mentioned above.

I have the VDO dual sender which feeds the gauge and the warning light. I've heard these can be slow to react, but the warning light portion on mine seems to act a lot like the stock one. It flickers at some point below 10 PSI, but my oil pressure gauge isn't detailed enough to tell the exact number.

Lee