Oil Pressure Sender Observation

[Denver DMC]

My oil pressure gauge has been erratic for the six years I have owned my D. I assumed that I had a bad sender or a bad ground. Replacement has been on my list, but I just never quite got around to it. When changing my oil this spring in preparation for summer fun, I finally read the manual and noticed that 10W30 oil is not recommended in this car, rather 20W40 or 20W50 (assuming ambient temp of greater than 20 degrees of so). I put in 20W50 and now my oil pressure gauge reads correctly. I didn't touch the sender or any wires. Interesting.

[WelmoedJ]

Thicker oil will mas the real problem!
FWIW: I use 10W40 in my car.

The oil pressure sender in my car has been a bit erratically and I had an oil pressure switch that leaked oil and I took it apart and sealed it with silicone grease.
Reading turned out to get more stable and higher.

The pressure switch (left side of the car) is not a very well constructed device.
After it started leaking again, I replaced it with a new one (not DMC's) and the leaking is over and the pressure again stabilised.

This could be your cause of the problem too.

[Denver DMC]

[QUOTE=WelmoedJ;49484]Thicker oil will mask the real problem! ... I replaced it with a new one (not DMC's) and the leaking is over and the pressure again stabilised./QUOTE]

Thanks. Just curious, which replacement oil switch unit did you purchase?

[DMC3165]

Over the course of time I had issues with sending units as well. I've found that the TRW unit is the most reliable replacement you can find.

As for oil. That's a hottley debated topic especially in the DeLorean community. For what its worth afyer years of discussions I have been running a diesel spec CJ-4 15W-40. Mainly because of the additive package used in diesel oils of that grade. It closely meets the needs of engine requirements of the time.

I was unhappy with the dmch oil pres sending unit whereas it would constantly read low and give inaccurate readings on the dash gauge. I may have just recieved a defective one but I had my oil pressure independently verified at a reputable DeLorean repair shop.

[stevedmc]

I've been happy with my AutoZone PS133 sending unit. It was cheap and I believe it has a lifetime warranty as well.

[WelmoedJ]

[QUOTE=WelmoedJ;49484]Thicker oil will mask the real problem! ... I replaced it with a new one (not DMC's) and the leaking is over and the pressure again stabilised./QUOTE]

Thanks. Just curious, which replacement oil switch unit did you purchase?

The oil pressure sender (dash gauge; right side of the engine) is the new sender from Hervey.
(his ad on the site: 80lb correct reading. Small as to not hit the oil filter.
Made for the DeLorean. $19.95 )

The oil pressure switch (dash light; left side of the engine) is a new one from DMC Europe.
(new model € 15,92)

Hope this helps.