Notices
Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

NC oil pressure is low at idle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 18, 2023 | 09:21 PM
  #1  
NASSEX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 190
Total Cats: -35
From: Baltimore; States
Default NC oil pressure is low at idle

It's a 2007 NC1 6SPD PRHT.

Any other NC owners notice their oil pressure gauges reading this low at idle once the car is fully heated up?
I purchased the car with 115k miles I've put 1k miles on it so far. Before the lowest it would read was a hair over where it's at now. Just wanted ask around if this looks normal because this next weekend it's going to get it's first track time and it's my daily lol thanks in advance.

I Noticed they also slightly over filled the engine oil at the dealership I got it from. Then I later read online that it's common practice with NC1's to over fill a hair past the max fill line because when you rev them past 5-6k they can starve for oil and that's what spins the rod bearings. :/ Anyone also heard of that before?
Reason why I bring it up is bcuz I drive it pretty hard around town lol 95% is city driving and due to the short gears it's always getting rev'd high. It took about 850miles for the oil to come down to the middle fill line on the dipstick. So I topped it off back to max full as soon as I noticed it. I did it on level pavement of course also. Sometimes that gets overlooked by people and it makes a big difference if it isn't level.

Old Mar 19, 2023 | 04:27 PM
  #2  
themonkeyman's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 697
Total Cats: 91
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

They’re basically designed to just build a little at idle for the least parasitic losses, probably around 4-5psi hot. As long as it jumps up as soon as you’re off idle you’re fine.
Old Mar 19, 2023 | 05:02 PM
  #3  
NASSEX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 190
Total Cats: -35
From: Baltimore; States
Default

Originally Posted by themonkeyman
They’re basically designed to just build a little at idle for the least parasitic losses, probably around 4-5psi hot. As long as it jumps up as soon as you’re off idle you’re fine.
Thanks. I thought so but just wanted to see if it's the same for other NC owners out there
Old Mar 20, 2023 | 11:42 AM
  #4  
olderguy's Avatar
AFM Crusader
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,716
Total Cats: 364
From: Wayne, NJ
Default

Read This: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=626635

Then decide for yourself
Old Mar 20, 2023 | 05:48 PM
  #5  
Gee Emm's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,576
Total Cats: 244
From: Canberra, sort of
Default

I am in the process of fitting warning lights to my SE, gauge or no gauge. Oil pressure, coolant pressure, water temperature.
Old Mar 20, 2023 | 07:17 PM
  #6  
NASSEX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 190
Total Cats: -35
From: Baltimore; States
Default

Originally Posted by olderguy
Read This: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=626635

Then decide for yourself
Thank you for that. Alrighty I'm pretty much all informed up now lol for anyone else curious about it themselves, this is a good summary of how it functions and why installing an aftermarket true oil pressure gauge is best.

Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AustralianMSM
Engine Performance
3
Jun 7, 2021 09:51 AM
Philly Miata
Engine Performance
29
Jul 18, 2017 04:44 PM
jarrett2k
General Miata Chat
13
Jul 27, 2009 03:14 PM
highroller101
General Miata Chat
9
Jun 13, 2008 03:43 PM
furian777
General Miata Chat
26
Feb 26, 2008 11:23 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:42 AM.