Low Oil Pressure

[Badass WS6]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that has helped answer my previous "noobie" questions. This site and its members are extremely helpful.

Here's another question. Looking at a '00 a4 TA bone stock with 113,000 miles. While driving it, I noticed the oil pressure gauge never climbed above 20lbs, even when I would punch it and get to 55+mph. Runs good sounds good. Drives fine. Shifts smooth.

That's the only thing that concerns me. Any thoughts, suggestions as to the culprit and remedy?

Thanks in advance.

[cammed goat]

Check the OPSU to see if it's cracked/leaking. That's my thought. Check the harness to the OPSU as well.

[Badass WS6]

Check the OPSU to see if it's cracked/leaking. That's my thought.

That's located at the rear of the engine, correct? Like, under the dash right?

Thank you.

Any more suggestions are welcome.

[az gt eater]

Could really old oil cause this? I would check for leaks and smoking out the exhaust as well.

[cammed goat]

That's located at the rear of the engine, correct? Like, under the dash right?

Thank you.

Any more suggestions are welcome.

Yes sir.

[Badass WS6]

Could really old oil cause this? I would check for leaks and smoking out the exhaust as well.

Dont know about bad oil causing it..??Anyone else chime in regarding that possibility??

Regarding the possible exhaust leak, I had my dad stand behind the car when I started it and at initial start up no smoke came out the exhaust. I let it run for a couple minutes then shut it off and restarted it.

When I restarted it my dad saw a little blue smoke coming out of the drivers side exhaust tip. Not much he said, but it was visible.

Let it run for a few more minutes and it quit.

Started it again and no smoke.

Yes sir.

Thanks.

More replies and suggestions are welcome.

Thank you guys.

I've been out of an fbody for over a year and am really itching to get into another one.

I like this one but don't want to buy it if I'm automatically going to have to sink alot of money into it.

[DaytonaBlues]

oil pressure at minimum should be 20 psi i think according to the owners manual.(i think it said 5 psi in my owners manual!?) you could be seeing a few issues, one is a faulty gauge, second is the oil pressure sensor is going bad, third is the car might be waaay low on oil, fourth is someone used like 5w20 or ow20 wieght in that thing, hence the low oil pressure. like 0w20 synthetic would make oil pressure low. and yea really crappy old oil with the level really low could do that especially if someone put a lot off additives in the oil that diluted it, like Marvel Mystery Oil treatment or the like. ive never heard of oil pressure that low, except in drag cars that run really light oil for less drag in the motor.
I would check the oil, make them CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER then if it still reads the same it may be the gauge or sending unit.
the gauge should move obviously. read higher when cold then lower when hot. at least 30 psi should be ok at idle depending on the weight of the oil
you should definitly pull the dipstick, smell that oil and make sure its not DILUTED WITH GAS or something else. make sure its clean too (duh i know)

btw, how much do they want for the car? no check engine lights on or anything??

[tatertot91]

I've never had much faith in the stock OPSU. I've seen oil pressure jump more than 10 psi between different senders. My stock is about 5 psi higher than my autometer but that could just be the second senders location. You could pick up an pressure tester with the correct fitting and replace the stock one to see if it's any higher

[DaytonaBlues]

hey tater, where is the spot where you tapped into for the autometer?

[tatertot91]

Right above the oil filter

[2002ssslp]

You should be using Mobil 1 oil every 5k with a quality (K&N) oil filter. Check your oil level every other fillup. Change the OPSU it is probally fouled with nasty old oil. I follow these rules and my 02 SS never, ever goes below 50 psi good maintenance is a must for long engine life and performance.

[DaytonaBlues]

where is the factory OPSU? and i guess there is that threaded hole thing covered buy a plate with two bolts above the oil filter two, which i assume is just an auxillary tap for a oil cooler line or something. my oil pressure gauge jumps around a bit and sometimes gets to 80 psi when its cold outside. im wondering how hard it is to change or clean the factory OPSU

[2002ssslp]

where is the factory OPSU? and i guess there is that threaded hole thing covered buy a plate with two bolts above the oil filter two, which i assume is just an auxillary tap for a oil cooler line or something. my oil pressure gauge jumps around a bit and sometimes gets to 80 psi when its cold outside. im wondering how hard it is to change or clean the factory OPSU

I believe it is on the back of the block behind the intake manifold. I have heard that it is not an easy job. You may want to try you local mechanic.

[az gt eater]

I haven't changed mine yet, but I have taken my intake out too many times. Once you have the intake out, the OPSU is pretty easy to access. I think it took me a couple hours to take my intake out the first time. Now, half hour easy. Wear longsleeved shirt. Those little plastic tabs that hold down the cowl cover are extremely sharp. And, you really don't have to put all the coil bracket bolts back in....

- - - Updated - - -

I haven't changed mine yet, but I have taken my intake out too many times. Once you have the intake out, the OPSU is pretty easy to access. I think it took me a couple hours to take my intake out the first time. Now, half hour easy. Wear longsleeved shirt. Those little plastic tabs that hold down the cowl cover are extremely sharp. And, you really don't have to put all the coil bracket bolts back in....

[Badass WS6]

btw, how much do they want for the car? no check engine lights on or anything??

Asking $6999. Got her down to $6300 as is but she won't budge even though its got a few issues. Offered her $5k and she wouldn't take it.

Her loss.

[Badass WS6]

I believe it is on the back of the block behind the intake manifold. I have heard that it is not an easy job. You may want to try you local mechanic.

Agreed.

It's a pain in the ass. Best bet is to take it to a trustworthy mechanic.

I had to have mine replaced on my old Z.