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SO a quick search didnt do me any good so what is classed as low oil pressure for a old na6. 1 bar at idle,3bar at revs hot?????

On a good calibrated gauge or factory?

common for NA6s to be at full pressure most of the time haha.
lowest mine got to was 2/3 on idle once warmed up. any revving would be full.
what oil are you running?

Sounds like your oil is too thick Emily.


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thought that, but after 3 years, 2 engines and several different oils, was always the same.
might have been the gauge/sender.

But i have dríven maybe 5 or 6 NA6's and they all seemed to do that.

Im running 15/40 volvo diesel oil (high zinc/detergents) with about 250ml of Moreys additive. I dont want to get into a full blown debate about engine oils as have been down that road many times before with flat tappet 383 chevs n things. just seems to me to be a large range of pressures for a little 4 banger. From nearly off the high side cold to 1/4 on the low side hot. If a quarter at idle is the norm well so be it and i will just drive that little red rocket

Ops sorry DANN standard gauge are they that inaccurate?

Mine idles just below the first mark when hot, under revs it's around 3/4s for memory. Cold idle is about half. 0w-50 oil from memory.

I used to get similar (but less excessive) behaviour of the gauge to Emily's when running a thicker oil (trying to solve another issue)

If you've read bob the oil guy for memory you should look for 15psi at idle and 10 psi for every 1000 rpm above idle.

Dann has a good point about the gauge. They are ok for regular "do I have oil pressure" use but aren't the most accurate to the number displayed.


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1990/91 NA6 - standard Oil Pressure gauge (which people who would know more than I say is not terrifically accurate).

Mine has always behaved thus:-

Cold start - gauge goes to far right (6) and sits there for a minute or so then slowly begins to drop towards the 4 mark - usually I drive off when it is closer to the 4.

Running - after the engine etc. has warmed up the gauge normally sits a tad above 2 on idle and a tad above 4 at full throttle/revs.

My experience (with my car - driving same car for 20 years) is that, when I see the gauge begin to drop dead on to the 2 (or slightly below) at idle or similar with the 4 at throttle/revs, the oil level in the car has dropped.

Every time this has occurred and I check the oil levels it has needed a 500ml-1 litre top up. Sometimes this happens quicker than others (seems random).

This behaviour with my car has been exactly the same for 20 years - in that time I have gone from 10w/50 (1st 12 years or so) to 20w/50 (last 8 years or so).

Hmmm maybe its time to put it on 20/50 next oil change. Dont want to rebuild unless i have to as she runs sweet as bro (ha ha) thanks for info guys