Engine Oil pressure

[Driver]

So got a new manuka oil pressure gauge put into my hitatchi digger today. The one with capillary tube.

Is has an Isuzu 4bd1 turbo engine in it. It read the following pressures. At start up it was about 40 psi. Then worked it for an hour to get it hot. When left idling at working temperature it was dropping down to 15 psi. Rev it up and work it was about 30 psi.

Are these sounding low? Engine starts first click and no excess blow or anything from the breather.

 

[Dave W]

You really need to know the proper spec rather than a tff opinion.
But here’s my tff opinion. I’d expect a traditional engine to be around 60-80 psi
Modern engines may be vastly different

 

[davidroberts30]

When was the last oil change and what grade oil ?
Figures sound maybe a touch low but old oil or wrong grade would cause that

 

[Driver]

When was the last oil change and what grade oil ?
Figures sound maybe a touch low but old oil or wrong grade would cause that

Oil was changed a year ago but wouldn't have 30 hours done since. 15w40 engine oil was used.

 

[davidroberts30]

Oil was changed a year ago but wouldn't have 30 hours done since. 15w40 engine oil was used.

How many hours on engine? What is the recommended grade oil

 

[AnyOldName]

Those numbers are pretty low, especially the 15psi hot idle pressure.

How many hours has it done? With those low pressure numbers, I’d expect one of these scenarios:

1) The engine has done a lot of hours and the bearings are all pretty worn.

2) It’s got the wrong oil in it (viscosity too low)

3) There’s a problem with a specific component, such as a damaged/worn oil pump or an internal leak somewhere.

 

[box]

Where on the engine has the gauge been plumbed in? How accurate is the gauge? What brand is the gauge?

Lots of factors that can affect the reading. I personally wouldn't be too worried, provided it's showing *some* pressure, the engine runs well, sounds well and the idiot light isn't on.