What is this Gauge?

[scubasteve]

I have a VW 1600cc powered London Roadster.
I have a question about what this gauge is and what it tells me.

Is it manifold or oil pressure?
Since this isn’t an airplane, I doubt it’s manifold pressure.
If it’s oil pressure, does anyone know what the pressure should be it the engine is hot?
 When idling, it drops down to 15 lbs/sq. in, when cruising it’s between 30 & 40 lbs/sq.in.
Is that normal?
I had the oil changed recently by a VW mechanic, who, I’d THINK would use the correct oil type, but you just don’t know…He didn’t tell me the weight he used.
I don’t remember what the readings were BEFORE I had the oil changed, but think they were higher…
Sunday I took the car out for the first LONG; 100mi, drive since the oil change and noticed it then.
Thanks EVERYONE!

Amor Conquista Todo

[ray10]

Steve what you have is a oil pressure gauge’

http://www.vdo-gauges.com/instruments-displays-and-clusters/by-type/oil-pressure/cockpit-150-psi-oil-pressure-gauge-use-with-vdo-sender.html

As far as oil pressure I’ll leave that to the VW  guys

ray102016-05-23 11:41:18

TDREPLICA Map

http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=7f9174ad614e43b680deba085b0abf48

[edward ericson]

10 lbs per 1000 rpm is the going standard. But don’t assume what you see on the gauge is accurate.

[KentT]

That is fairly normal oil pressure for an air-cooled VW, once it has warmed up. They run lower pressures than some other cars. The oil pressure relief valves are set to bypass the oil cooler at somewhere between 42-45 psi, dumping oil back into the crankcase. This is done to prevent blowing oil seals or rupturing the cooler with cold, thick oil causing high pressures. Similarly, the low oil pressure light (if still equipped) will start to flicker off and on at about 7-9 psi, and stay constantly on at about 5 psi.KentT2016-05-23 22:58:06

Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...

[Bob]

I knew it had to be oil when looking at the picture before reading about it, just thought they always said “oil pressure” so that’s a first for me.

Mine tends to stay around 25 PSI, using 20W-50 Mobil 1 oil. I keep wanting to try 10W-30 instead and risk the thinner oil so it isn’t having to push a thicker oil. Never gave the original (mystery) oil a chance before changing it out.

I’ve seen it drop to about 15 and climb to 35 like yours, just not ever stay there for long. Had observed over the past year of ownership that hotter the weather the closer to 20 PSI, cooler closer to 30. And that’s during 50+ mile drives on a highway.

[edward ericson]

10w-40 if you can. 20-50 if it’s really tired, or really hot out.

[Royal]

I run 10-30. If my oil press drops, I know it is time to clean the engine or change to 20-50 or both.

[scubasteve]

Thanks all for the info.
I was worried, but think the pressures I’m running are normal.
I’ll check the level and keep an eye on it.
You guys are GREAT!

Amor Conquista Todo

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