oil pressure guage problems

[looking for a z]

hi, to all

I was driving my 71 240z today and the oil guage is fine while driving but when you come to a stop at a light the guage goes to zero. I have plenty oil in the car and i checked the connection on the sending unit it seems fine. I did notice that the glass on the guage is loose and it you tap on the glass the guage will move. How do i fix the glass in the guage and how do i get to the guage. Is the glass my problem with the guage or is is something other than that. Please help i am new to the z car.

Thanks

Looking for a z ( i have found one)

[LanceM]

I'd say bad sending unit. I've had simular problems before except I would loose pressure at speed, sort of a shock the first time it happens

[ZmeFly]

but not the whole problem. your best bet is to get a good brand mechanical gauge and then you can really see whats going on.

if you do just for shits and giggles get a mechanical even a cheap one to check out whats happening, you will see whats going on for real.

you just might be surprised.

MSA sells a spring kit for the oil pump to bump it up a bit. get yourself a mechanical gauge thats reliable and personally i wouldnt trust a guage that is 25+ years old.

if you just want to see it move buy yourself a new sending unit

[looking for a z]

HI,

Thanks for the info i will give thoes things a try. What is the best way to remove the factory guage and fix the glass on the front of the guage. Also where can i get a new sending unit.

Thanks

Looking for a z

[CNIXZGO]

for giving bad readings. My original unit even LEAKED oil. You can order them from Auto Zone for about 25 bucks or get a Nissan brand one for about 40 or so. Depends on what you want to get. As long as you KNOW you have oil in there and its not leaking, you should be OK. Or like the others said, get a mechanical gauge to ease your mind.

[AxtellZ]

as far as access to the guage- i believe in the 71 you can pull out the glove box, then reach in and remove the screw holding each guage in place.

Once out, take a look-see, just a couple screws to pull her apart to get to the bezel.

As far as the pressure dropping at idle, its normal in the L6 anyway. Both of my carz (73 & 74) run about 60 to 75psi when revving, but drop to 10 or 20 at idle. From what i've been told, that is by design, and normal.

[looking for a z]

Axtellz

Thanks for the info. MY guage reads 70 when runningdown the road but when at idle it is at 0. I have enough oil in the car but am afraid to drive it untill i can fix it. I am new to the z thing it took me two years to find the one i was looking for. I don't know much about the z i have been working on mustangs for years. Can you tell me a good book to buy on the z. In reguards to removing the guage . I don't know if i could reach the guage by taking out the glove box my oil guage is the first guage by the steering wheel. Is there an easy way to test the guage? Can a nos guage be bought any where.

Thanks

looking for a z

[Brett240]

if you cant reach it through the glovebox you will have to remove the console facia. take out your stereo, remove the four front screws, pull the facia forward and remove four screws in the back of it thats holds the heater controls on. disconnect the fan switch and out it comes. there is one vertical bolt that holds the gauge in. remove it, disconnect the wires into the back of the gauge and pop the gauge out. its a pain in the a$$.

[ZmeFly]

its just a pain, also if you were to use a mechanical gauge you will see it is actually about 8 lbs or less at idle, very disheartening.

that is why i suggested the spring kit for the oil pump from msa or get a turbo oil pump

it will help out with the low pressure at idle

[Gav240z]

Keep in mind if you go through the glove box and you own a 240z as you say you'll no doubt have the Cardboard Glove box and removing without damaging that is much harder than removing the heater control cluster in my opinion. Also you will have to remove the glove box door and there a bitch to align again. I hear some guys say you have to do it with the dash out of the car.

Go through the heater .

[looking for a z]

thanks to gav240z and zmefly for you info i will go through the heater controls it looks alot safer. Who is msa and is the oil pump inturnal or exturnal and how do you put the spring kit in.

Thanks

Looking for a z

[ZmeFly]

msa is motorsport auto they are out of orange county california, a pretty good company though sometimes misunderstood, they do however have knowledgeable people and most of theyre employees own and drive Z's!!

here is theyre web site Motorsport Auto

you can get the spring kit but it would probably be just as easy to get a turbo oil pump instead and probably a little cheaper as well.

the choice is yours in any case