Oil Pressure
 

Hi all. Moving onto a problem of mine (potential), I was wondering what everyone is running for oil pressure? Last year when my turbo was on the car (took it off to test) my oil pressure was at 60psi at idle and 90psi when driving. Now my oil pressure is at 15psi at idle and around 50psi when driving, boost and everything. Nothing has changed except when I was coming home from the track last year, there was a "pop" that came from the engine bay and my oil pressure dropped and has been the same ever since. Help? Does anyone know what could be the cause of this? Has my oil pump been damaged? Am I just a :noob: and should know that 15psi is fine at idle(even though I know that oil pressure needs to be at least 13psi @idle not sure why though)? Thoughts?

There will be various readings that people report. The important things are the trending and repeatability of your oil pressure readings. Some idle @30psi and some @15psi. Ultimately, as long as your pressure is the same every day, you're fine.

it doesnt... so what does that mean?

The stock oil pressure gauge on the Miata doesn't seem to be very consistent between different miatas. When I installed one on my 95, it initially was reading almost 0psi at warm idle. I cleaned off the sender connector and it raised to 15psi at warm idle. Another Miata that I owned read 25psi at warm idle.

ok, well how do you explain a "pop" and then the oil pressure drops?

Gremlins my friend...gremlins!

60 psi at idle is way too high, I have yet to see a Miata do this. I assume your pressure gauge was off at the begining and now it's correct.

my new miata indicates 10psi at idle and no more than 60psi in any other condition....the only way to test for sure is a gauge tee'd at the sender

so your saying no probems with my oil pressure?

Pretty much.

Drove yesterday 78* with no ducting on the top of the rad(removed it temp for install of larger IC) and was at 132*C on the highway! something is seriously wrong with my car. Oil cooler arrived last night. POS but for $112 including a sandwhich. 5x17x1.75". should I upgrade my cooler?