+1

I maintain 5bar under load and just 1.5-2 at idle.

 

before you do anything drastic, stick another pressure sender in just to double check your gauge - use a sandwich plate under the oil filter & you can keep the stock sender as well.

 

I still haven't seen the answer to the question about the hot oil pressure - what is it? You just said it 'drops off'....to what? If the answer is zero and you don't here a lot of lifter clatter then its a gauge issue.

 

After rising to near 4bar when on the throttle, the oil pressure drops a little below 3bar. At idle, it falls below 1bar. This is when hot.

 

1 bar hot (15psi) is still within factory tollerances - and it not uncommon in hot weather!
Factory limit is 1 bar per 1000 rpm.

 

Chris to the rescue.

 

Hmm. That's good news for my idle. However, what is your take on the declining oil pressure under throttle? You are making me feel better about my situation.

 

Declining under throttle - you are making me think that oil thermostat... You suuurrreee you changed it?

 

ummm...

 

I am certainly going to check.

 

1 bar at 1000rpm is still not enough, In my professional opinion. i can understand that if this is heavy city driving then you will the oil very hot(super heavy start stop traffic, on the track you would ruin your crank in one session. if you wish to fix your problem get a 20w 50 oil.
whaen you say "hot" what sort of driving are you doing? where is it happening. i really do not understand why people keep trying to go thin oils in these cars. look at the owners manual ofr the 951.
-10celcius to 40+celsius it stated 20w50. its virtually the cheapest oil you can buy.

 

Check the gauge! What happens when you flick it with your finger?

 

I suspect you have something brilliant you'd like to add to that?

Having seen this very thing happen with my own two eyeballs in a 951 with a stuck thermostat I would like to say "ummm... thanks."

 

Here's a thread for reference, with this quote:

https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...re-issues.html

I'm not saying this IS the problem. It is something to double check.
So thank you JoKA, for "ummm..."-ing.

 

The thermostat was not replaced. However, I misheard my mechanic earlier. There was metal near the oil drain plug. This is systematic of rod bearing failure, correct? I suppose at my mileage that I was due for a rebuild. I suppose that I'll keep it and see if I can scrape up some cash to do a full rebuild in the Winter. Thanks everyone for your help.