Oil Pressure Gauge Question

[48richard]

My truck has both an oil pressure gauge and an oil pressure warning light (I put in a Camaro tach and hooked up the oil light in it). The gauge and the light are connected to the same port in the block with a T fitting. Lately when I start the engine the oil light goes out as soon as I start to crank the engine, but the gauge registers zero for a couple of seconds after the engine starts, and then very rapidly goes up to a normal reading. Its a jerky motion, like something is "unsticking". Is there something internal to the engine/oil pump that could cause this, or am I looking at a gauge/pipe problem?

Thanks,
Richard

[TBONE1964]

Hey Richard, most oil pressure sending units are calibrated to trigger the light if the oil pressure drops below 7 psi. You will get over 7 psi just cranking the engine.

As far as the gauge not moving, it could just be a sticky gauge. There is nothing in the oil pump that will really change that. I would check for a kink or restriction in the oil pressure gauge line from the engine to the dash and see what it looks like.

[48richard]

Thanks. If this is just a gauge issue, I won't worry too much about it until it cools down a bit here. At this time of year my garage never gets much below 100 degrees!