Oil pressure gauge at idle fluctuates

[Performance Enthusiast]

I have noticed recently that the oil pressure gauge in the console on my ZL1 fluctuates probably +/-3 psi at idle with a warm engine (M6 in neutral). At idle the needle on the gauge will bounce around both sides of the 30 psi mark several times in one minute. Typically engine oil pressure warm/idle is rather steady so I assuming it is either the gauge or sending unit. It currently has less than 1k miles on it so it still has the factory oil in.

I was just wondering if anybody else has had the same experience with their ZL1 oil pressure gauge.

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by Performance Enthusiast

I have noticed recently that the oil pressure gauge in the console on my ZL1 fluctuates probably +/-3 psi at idle with a warm engine (M6 in neutral). At idle the needle on the gauge will bounce around both sides of the 30 psi mark several times in one minute. Typically engine oil pressure warm/idle is rather steady so I assuming it is either the gauge or sending unit. It currently has less than 1k miles on it so it still has the factory oil in.

I was just wondering if anybody else has had the same experience with their ZL1 oil pressure gauge.

...from my experience, it should remain stable without movement up or down the scale at idle like your observation. The readings are stable throughout operation. Hot or cold.

[BlackSun]

someone posted about an oil problem starving the motor. you may want to look into that

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319184

[SPOOKYGUNNER]

Originally Posted by Performance Enthusiast

I have noticed recently that the oil pressure gauge in the console on my ZL1 fluctuates probably +/-3 psi at idle with a warm engine (M6 in neutral). At idle the needle on the gauge will bounce around both sides of the 30 psi mark several times in one minute. Typically engine oil pressure warm/idle is rather steady so I assuming it is either the gauge or sending unit. It currently has less than 1k miles on it so it still has the factory oil in.

I was just wondering if anybody else has had the same experience with their ZL1 oil pressure gauge.

Have you checked to see if the engine idle is fluctuating? That can cause the oil pressure type o fluctuate too.

[Wildcut]

I drove about 1600km and barely saw it move.

[Performance Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by SPOOKYGUNNER

Have you checked to see if the engine idle is fluctuating? That can cause the oil pressure type o fluctuate too.

Yes, engine rpm is steady at idle.
I think I would like to get my hands on a scan tool and read the real-time oil pressure values from the sensor for the ECM and compare it to the reading from console gauge when it is fluctuating. I have been doing some searching on this topic and I have found a couple postings stating that the oil pressure value from a scan tool can differ greatly from the console gauge reading.
I just don't know how accurate the oil pressure gauge on the console is.

[yellow69z28rs]

Better bring it in, I remember some post about oil pump failure.