Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Fluctuating Oil Gauge Readings
| Re: [GMCnet] Fluctuating Oil Gauge Readings [message #189786 is a reply to message #189770] |
Sat, 10 November 2012 07:50   |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Actually, if I had the Furd in that configuration, I'd replace the 'guage' with a light. I'll notice a light coming on, while a dead pointer may languish for a bit before it's seen. When I fire my coach up after i's been sitting, I like to see the oil go waaay up and hear the fan racket. Tells me nothing essential has fallen off in the lastr few weeks and the fan clutch still has fluid in it. I like to see the ammeters run over top the charge side and then ease back, too.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Bob Heller <rheller@cfl.rr.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, November 9, 2012 9:36 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Fluctuating Oil Gauge Readings
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 Heller
1974 X-Canyonlands 26ft
Winter Springs FL
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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