oil pressure in 1969

[jhorvot91]

the oil light in my 1969 beetle is lit solid at idle, so I went out and bought a oil pressure test kit to see exactly how low. pressure seemed to be fine at the start, but as the temp got toward operating temps the pressure slowly came down. the gauge read 4-5 psi at a normal idle sometimes dipping below 2psi. but if I gave the engine a rev the pressure would drop down to about 2psi and slowly makes its way back up to about 4. I checked the relief valve but I didnt know exaclty what I was looking for but the piston and spring look to be in good working order. as for the oil pump I do not know how to check it other than pull it out which I am saving for last, but I had just bought a new one for this engine. sorry for the length but I feel if I give more detail something might pop up I over looked, thank you

Joey

[Randy in Maine]

What is the warm idle speed?

What kind of oil pressure are you seeing with warm oil at 3000 RPMs?

What weight of oil are you using?

[jhorvot91]

I am idling around 1200 rpms

12psi at 3000 rpms

10w30 oil

I also forgot to note I am running dual carbs and 120 cam. I dont now if that makes any difference

[george4888]

Put in some good quality 20W50 weight oil and tell us if that helps. Your 10W30 is too thin for CA. summer temps....

And, the spec for oil pressure is if it reads , when warmed up oil, at less than 28 PSI at 2500, you have a problem. Most of the oil pressure problems is due to worn out bearings and/or a worn out oil pump.

As you go up on the rpms, for each 1,000 of rpm, you should see 10 more PSI. Meaning, when I shift my race engine at 8,000 I have at least 80 PSI on oil pressure. This is also what Porsche and VW factories followed for their air cooled engines. At idle, should not be below 7 to 8 pounds,,when very hot.

If my engine had the low pressure yours has, I would not run it until I tear it down and find the problem and fix it.
_________________
Home of Karacostas Car ( VW) Repair
"Keeping old VW's running like New!"
Past NHRA and IHRA drag racer
www.bayareavwclub.com
1969 Beetle, 2007cc engine

"Life is hard, but it's harder when you are stupid."

[jhorvot91]

I am going to try the new oil and hope to god it works. If not I am going to have some serious beef with the guy who built this engine for me. It has been in my car for about two weeks. thaks for the input, I will let you know how it goes.

Joey

[22manybugs]

This engine is only two weeks old? I assumed you were talking about an older, well-worn engine. That pressure is too low for a newly-rebuilt engine. Talk to the person who rebuilt it - it sounds like something is wrong with the rebuild.

A simple thing to check: remove the drain pan and see that the oil pickup tube is mounted tightly and isn't blocked. If it's loose and fallen down, or blocked, that could restrict oil being drawn up into the pump.
_________________
Lon

1969 Karmann Ghia convertible
1971 Westfalia camper

[jhorvot91]

the 20w50 oil doesnt look like is going to work out. I cant even get my car to idle. so I drained it and took out the drain pan. when I took it out I found 4 or 5 chunks of metal some as big as a dime cut in half. this is very concerning. gaah

[george4888]

If you have low oil pressure, that will harm the bearings. if the metal shaving you see are copper in color, that is bearing material. For a new rebuilt engine, the oil pressure was too low. You really need to have that take with the person that rebuilt your engine. I hope he warranties his work. Metal shavings in the oil is the kiss of death. Not good !!!
_________________
Home of Karacostas Car ( VW) Repair
"Keeping old VW's running like New!"
Past NHRA and IHRA drag racer
www.bayareavwclub.com
1969 Beetle, 2007cc engine

"Life is hard, but it's harder when you are stupid."

[jhorvot91]

turns out it wasnt metal it was plastic. it looked like it was part of some kind of tube. could this have come from my distributer and cause my idling problems?

[spanky324]

Pictures would help alot!

[jhorvot91]

I think this link will work, let me know if it doesnt. none of the pieces are metal, they are all black plastic. two of the bigger pieces are smooth and rounded on top and bottom, like they were pieces of a tube.


http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l37/screem4_icecream/0822101513.jpg?t=1282515733

[jhorvot91]

this one is a little more in focus


http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l37/screem4_icecream/0822101527.jpg?t=1282516188