oil pressure regulator

[hades]

I just found out you can't search for oil - minimium word has to be 4 letter long. so its really hard to search for oil pressure regulator - you type in regulator and you will get tons of fuel regulator install info.

I asked on the 'other' forum and no one answered. Everyone knows the stock oil pressure sending unit can cause poor readings - if any. Everyone says the stock oil pump rarely fails, but what happens if the oil pressure regulators fail?

I haven't found any good info on how the oil system operates and what happens if any part in the system fails. The service manual was pretty vague - measure and replace. This assumes you have the pan off, but what other systems could you look for while the engine is running? Will the damn this blow a seal if a regulator sticks open or shut?

Thanks,

[Phoenix7]

well,
are you asking how to prevent damage if/when they fail?

I would think that finding out WHEN (with an aftermarket oil pressure gauge) oil stopped flowing would cause you to stop driving (or turn it off). The only thing is where would you plumb it to get the reading early enough for you to be able to do something about it.

http://www.rotarycarclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1448&stc=1&d=1210214098

[Phoenix7]

damn, the FD FSM isn't as detailed as the FC when it comes to the lube system.

[hades]

i guess I am looking for 2 things:
1) how the 3rd gen oil system operates - such as: what temps to regulators open / close? what direction does the oil flow?

2) if the regulators fail - besides epic failure and low oil pressure are their other symtoms.
a)Such as: with an aftermarket guage and you saw oil pressure going down after the car warmed up - to me this would be a direct symtom of a bad regulator.
b) with proven gauge(s) you saw the oil pressure going all over the place?

I have tried to read up as much on this over the years, but its not really documented well - or may be it has but I am blind. I guess I am just trying to learn what to watch out for before my car is on the side of the road and I am crying.

if you didn't use an aftermarket pedestal and wanted to run factory and aftermarket where would you plumb in?

thanks for any info.

[Phoenix7]

here is the convo we're having in the second gen section, hope it helps:
http://rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=2164

[albertomg]

fwiw I've never had my oil pressure gauge fail. Car has 133k on the original sending unit. Hope I didn't just jinx myself :)

I'm not even sure the stock system has a "regulator". It has an oil pump for sure but I think pressure is "regulated" by the size of the oil passages and such. Someone correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't spent any time looking at the FSM on this...

[Phoenix7]

There is a spring in the system that acts as a regulator (IIRC) and you're supposed to pull it out, measure and make sure it's within the specified tension. I can't recall exact specs since it was my first time looking at the FSM for the 3rd gen (which I'm not a fan of BTW).

As far as I know the pump is driven by the motor via the oil pump chain (most people mistake as the TIMING CHAIN) and then the spring regulates the pressure (look at the oil cooler and follow the line to the front cover and the spring is below that "banjo bolt"). To make it easier, look at this diagram and find part #9. It should be the same for the FD. (http://rotarycarclub.com/showpost.php?p=22935&postcount=1)

Again, this is based on the little I saw in the FSM and I'm not an authority on this. Just trying to get more people to post in here with answers.

[hades]

FYI - looked through the past dealer history on the car. 3 different oil pressure sending units installed.

[cewrx7r1]

It is hard for an oil pressure regulator to fail because it is a very simple device.
A spring and a plunger.

The rear OPR is what mainly regulates the max pressure to the engine after the filter.
The front regulator is more for safety. It prevents over pressurizing the oil sytem from the front cover to the filter. What if the filter clogged up. The OP gauge would show low pressure and the front OPR would dump the excess pressure saving the filter and oil cooler and lines. Same if one of the oil lines clogged or was bent.

With all the OP sending units that I have replaced since 1992, they have always shown high pressure, only the low end was off or jerky.

[hades]

thanks, that helps me understand the system better.

[hades]

I would post your problems in the 1st gen area. You'll find more experts for your year model there.

Sorry I can't talk to FB's since I have never owned one.