hippiecrap2001

Hi,

Just recently I've noticed that my 1995 E320 sedan oil gauge spikes up to "3" when I press on the accelerator but when I let go of it, the oil gauge gows back down to "2". Is this normal or did something get screwed up in my car? I hope someone knows what I'm talking about. If not, I can clarify. Thanks and I hope someone can help.

cap'n jasper

It's normal for the oil pressure to drop when the engine is hot and idling. Anything above 1 is okay (below 0.3 is when damage will be done).

JamesBrown

Is it normal for oil pressure to sputter (for lack of a better word) around 1.5 to 2 at idle or should it remain constant?

Jackd

1.5 to 2 at idle when hot is almost to good to be true.
Most 103/104 engine with high mileage would read at 1 or slighty below at idle. (mine does)
Your engine's bottom end is healty. Don't worry about a slight sputter.

JamesBrown

Damn, I never thought i hear that my engine was healthy. It burns like a quart of oil a week, and my sister was driving it for a while and i went to change the oil one day and only a quart and a half came out. Needless to say MB built bullet proof engines back in the day. It still puffs out blue smoke when you try driving up a steep hill. But i noticed that when the oil pressure drops the economy gauge (not sure how accurate it is) gets less economical. Also at idle the economy gauge gets worse, but when you bring hte RPMs up to about 1000 it gets better along with the oil pressure going up to 3. I don't get it, I'm still adjusting to MBZ from a Honda.

bamberger_1

JackD only said the bottom end of your engine is healthy. Means crank shaft bearings etc. The top seems to have some trouble if it burns that much oil. 1 -1.5 quart per 800-1000 mls is still acceptable, but more is too much. It could be the valve stem seals (no big deal) or the engine head ($$) or the piston rings ($$$) or altogether ($$$$). The oil pressure only shows you the pressure in the oil channels to the bearings, cam shaft, valves.... It the idle pressure shall be some where between 1 to 1.5 (hot engine) and has to rise to 3 at 1500 rpm. The economy does not have anything to do with it. It only measures the pressure in the intake system. If you drive up hill, the rpm going down the economy goes into the red range. But during idle it is supposed to be on the far left side, only if a lot extra power demand (A/C, Hi beam, high A/C fan speed..) is existing the dail may move slightly (<1/8") towards the right. In case it does not move to the far left during idle, there maybe some air leaks in the intake system (around the injectors, the vacuum lines, aír intake hoses....)