
Ask A Question - Help - Register - Login

'93 Mazda miata Oil Pressure (What's Normal?)

Sent to Car Experts August 04, 2006 10:32 p.m.

I have a 1993 Mazda Miata, automatic transmission, and 113,000 miles.. I am trying to sell it, and a potential buyer is concerned aout the fluctuating oil pressure shown on the guage while driving. It runs at about 30 while idling, and gets up to 75-80 once it hits at least 2000 RPMs, and fluctuates between those levels (30-80) while driving it in a normal way (not driving it hard). I guess what I want to know is, 1) Is this normal? 2) Is this harmful in some way to the engine, or a symptom of a potentially serious problem?
3) Is it a harmless and normal characteristic of this car, and harmless to the car?
Basically, I want to know if this issue, which is the only hang-up the buyer has, is just the normal "nickel and diming" that buyers do with 13 year old cars to take something that is basically harmless, and make it sound seriously detrimental to the car as a means of trying to drive his purchase price down? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you,

Arthur

Optional Information:
1993 Mazda Miata Automatic Trans

Already Tried:
Looking up specifications for normal oil pressure for a 1993 Miata (while at rest with engine on and while driving)

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $10

Answer
August 04, 2006 10:50 p.m. (17 minutes and 27 seconds later)

REPLIED

30 lbs.of oil pressure at an idle is a good specification.70-80 lbs.of oil pressure is fantastic specification at 2000 rpm.mazda says 28-43 at 1000 rpm and 43-57 psi at 3000 rpm,so you have fatastic oil pressure available.What concerns me is the fluctuation.Now you may have 1 of 2 problems.Either an oil pressure sending unit going out or an oil pump is going out.This condition can be checked out by pulling the sending unit and a mechanical gauge installed to check and see if it's the pump.If it's the pump,it could lead to massive problems if ignored.if the sending unit is bad,as long as it's not leaking,just an annoyance.

mrrowland1 -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 189 Car Accepts
Working Certified ASE Master /L1 (advanced engine pefromance) Technician

Reply to mrrowland1
Sent August 04, 2006 11:10 p.m. (20 minutes and 14 seconds later)

Please clarify. Do you feel, despite the fluctuation you expressed some concern over, and yet you also felt the pressure levels were "fantastic" are more than likely a problem, or not? Additionally, would this pose a significant threat for long road trips, specifically, NJ to Fla.?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
August 04, 2006 11:32 p.m. (21 minutes and 54 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

The fluctuation was what i was concerned with.the actual minimum and maximum pressures were great.And this could pose a big threat on a long road trip.If there is a problem with the oil pump,it could destroy the engine.That's why an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

mrrowland1 -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 189 Car Accepts
Working Certified ASE Master /L1 (advanced engine pefromance) Technician

Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers:

	DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

Just Answer! > Car Questions & Auto Repair Information > Mazda Questions