Alan C.

Just picked up a 944 turbo which had a rebuilt engine installed. The engine has about 500 miles on it now.

On a cold start the pressure reads 2.5 - 3 bar. Hot it doesn't read much less than 2 bar. It doesn't go up much past 3.5 with increased rpm (5000).

There are other gauge gremlins so it may not be the nightmare I envision. Have any of you installed aux. gauges? Is so what did you have to use in the way of adapters for the gauge. I want to use mechanical gauges.

Thanks

Skip

No help on the aftermarket stuff. However, your problem may just be a bad sending unit. Easy and cheap to replace. Here's a procedure, though it is a bit intuitive: 944/951 Oil Pressure Sender Replacement

Some other stuff that comes to mind with low oil pressure: Proper torque on crank bolt, oil sump correctly installed with bushings in place, abnormal ventilation into the oil passages.

Good Luck!

Tabor

I know that a poorly aligned oil pressure release valve can cause incorrect oil pressure (at least on the NAs). But I don't remember if it will cause too much or too little.

MadMax

Alan,
If you have any doubts about the acutal oil pressure, and it sounds like you do, then be very careful about going over 4000 rpm with oil pressure indicated less than 4 bar. At or above 4000 rpm you should be showing 4 bar. Less than that can cause serious engine damage.

Max

fletch.

You did not mention the year, but it the engine still has the original style spring and plunger OP regulator, get rid of it. The later replacement version is very expensive, but it works better. Also if you use oil modifiers that will lower the pressure at idle.

I have a new OP regulator and I can get 4 at idle and 5 at about 2500. when I added friction modifiers to the oil the OP went down to 3 at idle and 5 at 3k

Skip

Good Catch Fletch!

Absolutely could be causing the exact problem as described originally. It is possible to clean the valve. Check out the diagnosis, cleaning, and replacement procedure here: 944 Oil Pressure Relief Valve Replacement

Good Luck!