Lancia Beta Forum

I'm after a bit of advice about oil pressure. When I start from cold oil pressure on the instrumental panel sits at about half way after a while as the engine warms up it drops to the upper end of the coloured portion. When I give it a bit of gas the oil pressure recovers as expected but at idle it drops away. I realise that with heat the oil gets less viscous but that seems like a fair drop. Of course i don't want to rely on a 30 year old pressure gauge. What I need to know is this kind of pressure drop normal? and is there any where on the block I could attach a mechanical oil pressure gauge to get a more accurate reading?

Thanks

That's perfectly normal. If the gauge is in the coloured portion at 3k revs that is the time to worry.

It's quite possible to remove the oil pressure sender (one of the ones down by the oil filter) and fit a capiliary gauge if you're concerned but I don't think you've anything there to give concern.

Stuart

Sounds about the same as my 1.6,  while driving and cold will be half way or just above.
When idling with engine hot, the needle sits just above the red??
joe

Awesome guys I'm much happier now thanks


Joe

If you do fit a gauge, you need a minimum of 10 psi per 1000 rpm. I find that I have around 15 psi at idle, rising to a max of 50 - 70 psi.

thanks again