C4 Low oil pressure with no warning light?

[Scotthwhiting]

Hello, I have some worries about my Porsche 994 C4. I have had the engine replaced last year because of a cracked cylinder, since then the car has been a pleasure to drive. I recently noticed the oil pressure, when fully warmed up fully, has been dropping to about .2 - .3 BAR. The car makes no strange noises, and the warning light never comes on. After a recent oil change at the dealership, I was told there was nothing to worry about, but I think that there still is. I read it is never supposed to be that low. I changed the pressure relief spring, nothing changed. I changed the pressure sender, nothing changed. I'm very stuck on what to do. Tomorrow I will hopefully check with a mechanical gauge.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Maybe if anyone has encountered similar problems. I'm worried it is something bad. Could it be a bad gauge perhaps? I'm curious how the pressure can drop so low, with no warning light. Any suggestions would really help, this car has been quite the handful so far.

[JFP in PA]

Hello, I have some worries about my Porsche 994 C4. I have had the engine replaced last year because of a cracked cylinder, since then the car has been a pleasure to drive. I recently noticed the oil pressure, when fully warmed up fully, has been dropping to about .2 - .3 BAR. The car makes no strange noises, and the warning light never comes on. After a recent oil change at the dealership, I was told there was nothing to worry about, but I think that there still is. I read it is never supposed to be that low. I changed the pressure relief spring, nothing changed. I changed the pressure sender, nothing changed. I'm very stuck on what to do. Tomorrow I will hopefully check with a mechanical gauge.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Maybe if anyone has encountered similar problems. I'm worried it is something bad. Could it be a bad gauge perhaps? I'm curious how the pressure can drop so low, with no warning light. Any suggestions would really help, this car has been quite the handful so far.

I would connect a mechanical gauge in place of the sender and see what pressure you are getting. It is entirely possible that you have very low pressure. What oil are you running in the car?

[Scotthwhiting]

Hello, I have some worries about my Porsche 994 C4. I have had the engine replaced last year because of a cracked cylinder, since then the car has been a pleasure to drive. I recently noticed the oil pressure, when fully warmed up fully, has been dropping to about .2 - .3 BAR. The car makes no strange noises, and the warning light never comes on. After a recent oil change at the dealership, I was told there was nothing to worry about, but I think that there still is. I read it is never supposed to be that low. I changed the pressure relief spring, nothing changed. I changed the pressure sender, nothing changed. I'm very stuck on what to do. Tomorrow I will hopefully check with a mechanical gauge.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Maybe if anyone has encountered similar problems. I'm worried it is something bad. Could it be a bad gauge perhaps? I'm curious how the pressure can drop so low, with no warning light. Any suggestions would really help, this car has been quite the handful so far.

I would connect a mechanical gauge in place of the sender and see what pressure you are getting. It is entirely possible that you have very low pressure. What oil are you running in the car?

The dealership told me they only use 0W40

[JFP in PA]

Hello, I have some worries about my Porsche 994 C4. I have had the engine replaced last year because of a cracked cylinder, since then the car has been a pleasure to drive. I recently noticed the oil pressure, when fully warmed up fully, has been dropping to about .2 - .3 BAR. The car makes no strange noises, and the warning light never comes on. After a recent oil change at the dealership, I was told there was nothing to worry about, but I think that there still is. I read it is never supposed to be that low. I changed the pressure relief spring, nothing changed. I changed the pressure sender, nothing changed. I'm very stuck on what to do. Tomorrow I will hopefully check with a mechanical gauge.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Maybe if anyone has encountered similar problems. I'm worried it is something bad. Could it be a bad gauge perhaps? I'm curious how the pressure can drop so low, with no warning light. Any suggestions would really help, this car has been quite the handful so far.

I would connect a mechanical gauge in place of the sender and see what pressure you are getting. It is entirely possible that you have very low pressure. What oil are you running in the car?

The dealership told me they only use 0W40

In that case you could try changing oil and switch to a 5W-40 to see if the pressure changes.

[Scotthwhiting]

Hello, I have some worries about my Porsche 994 C4. I have had the engine replaced last year because of a cracked cylinder, since then the car has been a pleasure to drive. I recently noticed the oil pressure, when fully warmed up fully, has been dropping to about .2 - .3 BAR. The car makes no strange noises, and the warning light never comes on. After a recent oil change at the dealership, I was told there was nothing to worry about, but I think that there still is. I read it is never supposed to be that low. I changed the pressure relief spring, nothing changed. I changed the pressure sender, nothing changed. I'm very stuck on what to do. Tomorrow I will hopefully check with a mechanical gauge.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on this for me. Maybe if anyone has encountered similar problems. I'm worried it is something bad. Could it be a bad gauge perhaps? I'm curious how the pressure can drop so low, with no warning light. Any suggestions would really help, this car has been quite the handful so far.

I would connect a mechanical gauge in place of the sender and see what pressure you are getting. It is entirely possible that you have very low pressure. What oil are you running in the car?

The dealership told me they only use 0W40

In that case you could try changing oil and switch to a 5W-40 to see if the pressure changes.

I bought a cheap oil pressure gauge and hooked it up, I will post pictures for a second opinion shortly. Maybe the thicker oil will make a difference.

[Scotthwhiting]

I bought a cheap oil pressure gauge and hooked it up. I allowed the car to warm up fully, actually slightly hotter than cruising temperature as it was sitting in my garage. Usually the in car pressure would read about .2 BAR.

With the engine warm and completely idled down (slightly lower than normal because of my K&N according to the dealership) I had about 14 PSI.

After converting I find that my car is making .96 BAR. I know it should be at around 1.5 BAR. Do you think the actual reading of nearly 1 BAR is sufficient?

[JFP in PA]

I bought a cheap oil pressure gauge and hooked it up. I allowed the car to warm up fully, actually slightly hotter than cruising temperature as it was sitting in my garage. Usually the in car pressure would read about .2 BAR.

With the engine warm and completely idled down (slightly lower than normal because of my K&N according to the dealership) I had about 14 PSI.

After converting I find that my car is making .96 BAR. I know it should be at around 1.5 BAR. Do you think the actual reading of nearly 1 BAR is sufficient?

Still seems a bit low, try switching oil weights as we discussed.

[BTERRY1]

out of curiosity, what is your pressure at full operating temp in third gear at 4-5K RPMs?

[Scotthwhiting]

out of curiosity, what is your pressure at full operating temp in third gear at 4-5K RPMs?

Well on the gauge in the car it never really broke 2 BAR but that gauge is clearly broken. I have no way of knowing honestly because of hooking up the mechanical gauge, I wish I did. What should it be at?

[Ahsai]

out of curiosity, what is your pressure at full operating temp in third gear at 4-5K RPMs?

Well on the gauge in the car it never really broke 2 BAR but that gauge is clearly broken. I have no way of knowing honestly because of hooking up the mechanical gauge, I wish I did. What should it be at?

I think it should be around 5bar.

[BTERRY1]

Mine is 4.5 3rd gear when greater than 4k rpms. Most see this but I believe porsche says anything over 3.5 is acceptable. But that seems low.

[Ahsai]

Mine is 4.5 3rd gear when greater than 4k rpms. Most see this but I believe porsche says anything over 3.5 is acceptable. But that seems low.

Agreed.