Odd Oil Pressure Symptom
 

I was at a track event today and when I started the Z to go out for my second session my Glowshift oil pressure gauge was not reading any pressure at all. I figured the gauge or sending unit had died when I realize the oil light was on at the dash too. I blipped the throttle and the pressure instantly began reading normal levels and the dash light went away. I went out for my session and everything seemed fine. After lunch, it happened again so I cut the day short. It’s doing it when the car has a chance to sit for a bit. If you blip the throttle it always reads normally and if you then turn it off and back on it’s fine. Gallery gasket job was performed last year and it has the upgraded Boundary oil pump gear. Any ideas?

You’re a brave man to go out for a session right after having oil pressure issues…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Change the oil and cut open the oil filter. Something has gone wrong. If you see metal flakes and crap in the oil filter, new engine time.

I plan to take it to SOHO tomorrow. I’m going to explore some options between throwing a low mileage used motor in it to a mild build.

Put a oil pressure gauge on it and see what the pressure is.

It has an aftermarket one installed. It was not registering any pressure until the throttle was blipped. I cranked up again this morning and it seems fine. I dropped the oil and didn't see anything weird in it. I’m thinking maybe a blockage in the oil passages. I probably went overkill on the RVT when I changed the gallery gaskets.

Possibly oil pressure relief valve in pump stuck open. Happens on GM trucks sometimes, lifters will make noise etc start to rev engine a few times and all a sudden pressure is back and lifters fill etc. Sounds horrible and then new pump fixes it.

Well gallery gaskets should not need ANY RTV. I did coat my OEM new gaskets in really light RTV at the same time.

Your best bet is to install a manual gauge or wire up the glowshift manually so it can give you as quick of a reading as possible.
Depending on your findings I would change the oil and filter and inspect the filter as previously stated.

Continue to monitor this.

Thanks for the response. I should clarify. I didn't put any rtv on the gallery gaskets themselves but I did use a lot reinstalling the timing cover and oil pan. It’s plausible that some excess detached and could have lodged itself somewhere. I’ve changed the oil this point, inspected the old oil and filter. I even ran a magnet and a light through the old oil and didn't pick up anything. I used a Harbor Freight external gauge in addition to the one thats already installed and they are both reading normal pressure. I have no idea what was causing it but I will definitely continue to monitor it.

With the analog gauge what is the minimum pressure you see at cold start and for how long until you have to blip the throttle?

Cold start I’m at mid 90’s PSI. I haven't been able to replicate the problem since the track event. I’m just going to keep running it as is. If something fails I’m OK putting a new engine in it.

Did you get oil pump gears only or did you get complete pump assembly from boundary?

Just the gears. The OEM pump is still being used.

That's low, it should be in the 100's. I beat you have an issue with the boundary gears. It has happened before on a new engine build. I suggest you go back to a new Nissan pump or get the Nismo pump. You could also be seeing
bearing related issues. Either way, you have an issue going on.

I installed their pump with their billet cover with 2 relief shims already preinstalled from boundary. Hope it won't give me any issues with oil pressure