oil pressure gauge

[LEBOEUF Alain]

[Joe L.]

Re: oil pressure gauge

Alain-----

There are really only two possibilities here:

1) There is a problem with the behind-the-dash section of the oil pressure tubing. For your application, this line is a nylon (plastic) line and it's possible, but certainly not probable, that it's been "kinked" or otherwise rendered occlusive to oil pressure transmission.

2) There is a problem with the gauge.

Unfortunately, for either of the above conditions to be checked out and repaired, you're going to need to remove the center dash cluster. This is really not as bad as it might seem. You first need to remove the right side dash panel; then the center cluster assembly. The most difficult part of the entire project will be accessing and removing the 2 nuts from the studs at the bottom of the center cluster bezel. Also, be VERY careful with the bezel removal. The top portion of the bezel is very easily broken off, so handle it very carefully and DO NOT use anything more than very slight force in pulling it forward.

[Wayne W.]

Re: oil pressure gauge

When you get it out, just spray a little oil into the pivots and carefully bump the tube and the mechanism. It will free up and work. You will know when it breaks free when the needle moves.

[Al S.]

Re: oil pressure gauge

I had the same problem on my '72. My last resort was to take the dash apart. I made a little "vacuum chamber" out of an unused small inert gas cylinder (like those paint ball cannisters) you'll see why in a minute. I disconnected the oil line and fitted a small piece of vacuum hose over it to increases the size of the oil line diameter, then took our dog's vitamin syringe filled it with clean kerosene and injected a small amount of the kerosene into the oil line. I also took a .035 piece of stainless welding wire and ran it in and out as far as I could. Next I took some compressed air and with a regulator set for about 30 psi and blew into the tubing attached to a rubber tip blow gun to try and force the kerosesen into the gauge. I had my daughter sit in the car as I was doing this to see if anything was happening while I was doing this. Once she said the gauge moved, I let it sit a few minutes, then hooked up the vacuum cylinder and drew the kerosene out. (I used my other car to pull the vacuum on the bottle, by just rigging up some hose to the valve and the intake manifold, started it up & opened the valve on the chamber, then closed it) or if you have a long enough hose connect right to the intake of the other vehicle. I did this pressure / vaccum process about 4 times, hooked up the oil line, started the engine, and presto, it works just as it should. Two things to be careful with... don't puncture the plastic oil line with the wire, and don't over-pressurize the gauge. It's more than likely a piece of dirt or dried oil film which the kerosene should desolve and the vacuum will draw it out. My car happened to sit more than it ran in the past few years. You've got remember that the gauge only has a pin hole in the back of it and it doesn't take much to restrict it or block it off.

[Robert Nissenbaum]

Re: oil pressure gauge

There is alos the possibility that the kink or obstruction is at the intake manifold. I would personally start by disconnecting the nylon tube at the manifold. While messy, bumping the engine would push oil out of the fitting. That will confirm/deny the issue at the manifold fitting. You can test the guage at that point by using an air canister as mentioned above connected to the tube (make sure you keep the pressure low). The air pressure will move the needle if the guage is OK. You still might need to remove the dash, but...