No oil pressure gauge, no big deal IMO and why? As a slowly falling gauge due to a leaking oil filter for example, is unlikely to be noticed by the typical driver, a sudden red light OTH would, or at least it should. Keeping in mind the oil pressure light on a typical car is set at 4 psi........that's right FOUR!
A gauge correctly calibrated on the other hand would show an unusually low pressure, if by chance you do notice the low reading, and you pull over to investigate, it may save you a new engine? I have both, the oil pressure light set at IIRC 21 psi? There is also a buzzer in line with the light, a disable switch stops it being annoying when working with the ignition on and engine not running.
I have had two vehicles with no temperature gauge just an 'idiot' light, one was a Renault Master LWB, the overheating light came on just as steam came pouring out under the bonnet, a hose had failed, simple repair eh? Sure was, after removing the engine and removing the cylinder head, pistons and liners. More or less a complete rebuild, now........what if I had a temp gauge, would I have seen it rising....possible?
Gauges when working properly, and if the information they provide is interpreted correctly a lot of grief, time and expenditure could be avoided, I would prefer a light though.
Now something I mentioned way back but unsure if it got picked up? Did you know that if your oil level is down by 1 litre, you will not get a low level light? So what I hear you say?
What if I now tell you that under arduous driving conditions that is low enough to cause air to be drawn into the oil pickup, now that should have your attention, as impossible as this sounds it's true.
Before a particular run the engine oil according to 'my' schedule was due a change and the level was down on the stick, probably not the aforementioned litre, that would be picked up at service time.
I was driving off road quite fast, no risk of an accident but the 80 was being thrown about, I climbed a hump and swung hard left the warning buzzer sounded momentarily, the buzzer is tied into multiple systems, so a glance at the dashboard was the natural thing to do, and I just caught the oil pressure light as it went out and the buzzer stopped. I pulled over let the engine idle while I looked for leaks, nothing out of the ordinary, switched off and checked the level and found no change from the previous check.
A gauge would not have reacted to that sudden albeit brief moment, The light and buzzer did, so a worthwhile mod IMO....and IME. Now, how many of you have been offloading and negotiating a difficult course whilst watching the dashboard?
If you are not interested in having accurate gauges then fit an idiot light.
Regards
Dave
A gauge correctly calibrated on the other hand would show an unusually low pressure, if by chance you do notice the low reading, and you pull over to investigate, it may save you a new engine? I have both, the oil pressure light set at IIRC 21 psi? There is also a buzzer in line with the light, a disable switch stops it being annoying when working with the ignition on and engine not running.
I have had two vehicles with no temperature gauge just an 'idiot' light, one was a Renault Master LWB, the overheating light came on just as steam came pouring out under the bonnet, a hose had failed, simple repair eh? Sure was, after removing the engine and removing the cylinder head, pistons and liners. More or less a complete rebuild, now........what if I had a temp gauge, would I have seen it rising....possible?
Gauges when working properly, and if the information they provide is interpreted correctly a lot of grief, time and expenditure could be avoided, I would prefer a light though.
Now something I mentioned way back but unsure if it got picked up? Did you know that if your oil level is down by 1 litre, you will not get a low level light? So what I hear you say?
What if I now tell you that under arduous driving conditions that is low enough to cause air to be drawn into the oil pickup, now that should have your attention, as impossible as this sounds it's true.
Before a particular run the engine oil according to 'my' schedule was due a change and the level was down on the stick, probably not the aforementioned litre, that would be picked up at service time.
I was driving off road quite fast, no risk of an accident but the 80 was being thrown about, I climbed a hump and swung hard left the warning buzzer sounded momentarily, the buzzer is tied into multiple systems, so a glance at the dashboard was the natural thing to do, and I just caught the oil pressure light as it went out and the buzzer stopped. I pulled over let the engine idle while I looked for leaks, nothing out of the ordinary, switched off and checked the level and found no change from the previous check.
A gauge would not have reacted to that sudden albeit brief moment, The light and buzzer did, so a worthwhile mod IMO....and IME. Now, how many of you have been offloading and negotiating a difficult course whilst watching the dashboard?
If you are not interested in having accurate gauges then fit an idiot light.
Regards
Dave
