Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

1991 Jetta, MK2, non-turbo, 5 speed, 290,000 miles, original owner

I just installed a VDO oil pressure gauge, 0-80 psi range. I'd like to know if my readings are within the norm or not.
No work has ever been done to the block components, save for a cooling system rebuild, injection pump and injectors rebuild.
Head rebuilt after belt broke 10 years ago.
I have no idea what the pressures were when the car was new.

I'm running Delo 400 15W-40 oil; outside temp 60 degrees F.

Start up after warming engine with block heater, 75 psi

After reaching normal operating temp with temp gauge in the middle:
55 mph, 48 psi (in 5th gear)
35 mph, 20 psi (in 5th gear)
Idle, 10 psi

Oil consumption looks good to me. Maybe down 2-3 mm on the dipstick after 500 miles'

Comments, please.

I'd say those are decent readings. Is the sensor at the head or at the oil filter? I was told years ago with old American steel engines that anything less than 15 PSI could accelerate crank bearing and cam bearing wear at idle but with today's oil I would not worry about 10 PSI at idle.
50 PSI at speed with a warm engine should be fine. I've heard that when cold you can see as much as 100 PSI. 75 is more than adequate if you used a block heater to pre-warm the engine.

A mechanic who has worked on these VW Diesels (and all varieties of diesel) told me that they only need 8 psi to function normally. You should be fine with 10psi at idle.

bscutt wrote:I'd say those are decent readings. Is the sensor at the head or at the oil filter?

Sensor is in the head.

How do the readings near the filter compare, generally speaking??

No personal experience but have heard on this forum that pressure at the head tends to be slightly less than at the filter. Not sure I could quantify that. Either way you sound like you're in great shape on oil pressure.