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1987 300zx Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working
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Author:  8712300370zx [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  1987 300zx Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working
My grandfather's '87 300zx's oil pressure gauge is not working. The engine oil level is full. There is no ticking, or knocking, and its been driven a few hundred miles and hasn't blown up yet. So I don't think there is an oil pressure problem I suspect that the oil pressure sensor is junk. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Nate
Author:  jtang [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 300zx Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working
8712300370zx wrote:
I suspect that the oil pressure sensor is junk. Any opinions?


Most likely true. You can try installing a mechanical aftermarket one one under the hood... they are pretty cheap.
Author:  Frank T [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
I would pop open the oil filler cap while it's running, just to make sure it's splashing oil around the cams up there. Have a rag at hand.

A completely dirty (cogged) oil filter will open the bypass check valve to let oil flow to the bearings, but not under enough pressure to reach many other places. Be sure that's not happening (change the filter).

Otherwise, Zs are notorious for having really junky oil pressure sending units. That's not to say a wire can't fall off the back of your gauge, but the problem would more likely be the sending unit on the block.

From your excellent description it's obvious you already know what it would sound like if you had no oil flow, so unless you find further hard evidence of something actually 'broken', I would suspect a faulty sending unit. They were all junk, to begin with.
Author:  8712300370zx [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Frank T wrote:
I would pop open the oil filler cap while it's running, just to make sure it's splashing oil around the cams up there. Have a rag at hand.

A completely dirty (cogged) oil filter will open the bypass check valve to let oil flow to the bearings, but not under enough pressure to reach many other places. Be sure that's not happening (change the filter).

Otherwise, Zs are notorious for having really junky oil pressure sending units. That's not to say a wire can't fall off the back of your gauge, but the problem would more likely be the sending unit on the block.

From your excellent description it's obvious you already know what it would sound like if you had no oil flow, so unless you find further hard evidence of something actually 'broken', I would suspect a faulty sending unit. They were all junk, to begin with.

Didn't realize this gauge didnt work until today. Strike out #2. Thanks for the help. Very much appreciated.

Nate
Author:  8712300370zx [ Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 300zx Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working
jtang wrote:
8712300370zx wrote:
I suspect that the oil pressure sensor is junk. Any opinions?


Most likely true. You can try installing a mechanical aftermarket one one under the hood... they are pretty cheap.


Thanks, I'll look into that.

Nate
Author:  Paul [ Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:54 am ]
Post subject: 
Most of these gauges leak but still work, check the wire, but not saying sending unit is shot. If there was any problem with oil pressure the top end would sound like it needs a serious valve adjustment.
Author:  Mike Rosann [ Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:54 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm not a Z31 expert but most electric gauges can be tested by removing the wire at the sender and start the car. The gauge should go to zero or full scale. Then short the wire to ground, the gauge should do the opposite. If the gauge moves from full scale to zero it's good and so is the wiring, it would be a bad sender. If the gauge doesn’t move at all you are on your own, could be the gauge or the wiring.
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