Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Fluctuating Oil Gauge Readings
| Re: [GMCnet] Fluctuating Oil Gauge Readings [message #189773 is a reply to message #189770] |
Fri, 09 November 2012 21:35   |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma:
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Bob,
I understand your comments and agree to a point.
Gauges allow you to monitor what's going on over time. You're buddy that got wrapped around the axle when the temp went up was
paranoid which is understandable since he's from Joisey. UNLESS he had experience that it would continue to rise until it was a
problem.
I have a Digi-Panel on Double Trouble that keeps an eye on critical engine parameters. Once in awhile I'll glance down at the gages
to see what's going on and through experience I know what the readings are. If over time I notice a change I know something's going
on. With an idiot light you have to wait until it happens. Frankly I don't want to wait until steam or smoke comes out as that could
cost more than addressing a trivial thing.
For example if you know that your charging system puts out 14 volts and it drops to 13.5 then 13 then 12.5 you know something is
happening and can do something about it.
If your engine puts out 50 psi oil pressure at 60 mph and it drops to 45, then 40 then 35 you know something is going on and take
action.
Same scenario goes for other parameters monitored.
Regards,
Rob M.
PS - I'm from Hoboken
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Heller
Ken,
In reference to:
"I agree with all the comments about how our oil pressure gauges work. As
another point of interest: I've learned that some "modern" vehicles (I
don't have an example off hand) have "gauges" which are connected to
SWITCHES! In other words, the needles are really nothing but
non-illuminating idiot lights!"
My 2005 Crown Vic has an oil pressure gauge that works this way, it's either all the way down or exactly half way. In the Ford
service manual it explains the operation of the sender and this is the way it is supposed to work, it's a 'yes/no', not a 'how
much'.
I don't really see anything wrong with this setup, I personally think people get too obsessed about the oil pressure and coolant
temp readings. Example: Years ago a good friend used to go nuts when his engine would get to 200 when idling in a traffic jam
(typical New Jersey traffic) and would shut the air con off, go to neutral, rev to get the fan spinning faster, etc. When we drove
my car I really didn't care what the coolant temp was as long as it was below the 'hot' mark and I would leave the a/c on so we were
comfortable. Sure, the engine was hotter than normal but if we weren't losing coolant and the engine was still running properly I
could care less if the temp was a bit warm. It will cool down to normal once we get moving again. I don't really think it makes a
difference if the coolant is 180 or 210 degrees, as long as the engine is running well and not losing coolant I don't worry about
it.
Same thing with oil pressure gauges. If the engine makes strange noises and the oil light comes on then you might want to check it
out, otherwise it will run fine whether it has 30 psi or 50 psi and probably will run fine for many miles. I've had some really
'used' cars in my life and have never had an engine come apart. I've had cars where the oil light would sometimes flicker at idle
(an old Mopar 383 comes to mind) and still beat the crap out of them and they never came apart (I used to love $100 cars in my teens
and early 20's). I always use a good quality name-brand oil of the weight that the car manufacturer recommends and have never had
engine issues.
Maybe the GMC designers should've put in idiot lights, that would solve the gauge-obsession some of us have. Sometimes "driving in
suspense" is a good thing. Just drive until smoke or steam comes out and then fix it! I will probably change my mind when I have an
engine eventually fail on me but until then I plan to just drive on and not worry about trivial things.
Just my opinion.
--
Bob
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
|
|
|
|
Current Time: Mon May 06 12:42:22 CDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01024 seconds
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
