TheSamba.com :: View topic - test oil pressure with fuel pressure gauge?

Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:36 pm

lately i've been doubting the accuracy of my oil pressure gauge, so i decided to get a T fitting and hook up a mechanical gauge alongside the sensor for my electrical one.

is there any reason i can't use the fuel pressure gauge that i already have? it reads up to 100psi, so the range is right, but not knowing much about the internals of these gauges, i'm not sure if it is designed to handle the temperature and viscosity of oil.

is there any compelling reason that i need to buy a 2nd gauge?

Mon Oct 24, 2011 3:58 pm

Given that a correct gauge with assorted fittings is 20 bucks (with the ubiquitous 20% off coupon) I woukldn't mess with a jury-rigged set-up:

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-oil-pressure-test-kit-98949.html

Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:49 pm

thanks for the link! the one i was looking at over at summit racing was more expensive and even after calling summit's tech assistance line they could not tell me what size fittings it came with. better still i just discovered there's a HF not too far from where i sit right now. thanks again.

Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:04 pm

Could someone remind me what size adapter we need for our Vanagons? I'm going to check out GoWesty and VanCafe for an answer as well. I remember one of them selling the kit to add a gauge, and saying that the connection that they include with it is not the exact one required, but that if you follow their directions and don't over-tighten, it will be fine.

When I was passing by a Harbor Freight last month, they had two oil pressure testers there. One was the $25 one, and they had one on clearance for $3.50. The cheaper one only came with a few adapters. I took a chance and bought the cheap one. If the adapter is not right, hopefully it will only cost a few dollars more to get the right one.

Ed

Mon Oct 24, 2011 5:09 pm

erdonline wrote: Could someone remind me what size adapter we need for our Vanagons?

if i remember right, the threads for the oil pressure switch are metric 10 x 1. i already have an adapter installed to 1/8 NPT for my pressure gauge sender; i believe this is the one:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2265/