Oil Pressure needle stuck at 80 lbs. Gauge junk?

[RussMcB]

I have a Race Parts combination mechanical oil pressure and oil temperature gauge. Recently noticed the needle was straight up at 80 lbs.

It seems like I've heard of this problem before. I was able to pull the needle towards zero with a magnet, but it instantly sprang back to 80. I shot a blast of air into the hose and the needle would rise above 80, so there is some working mechanism in there. I don't know if my blast of air was 10 lbs or 90, though.

Just wondering if it is worth fooling with, or if it's time to replace it. Luckily I have an oil pressure sensor for the dash (with alarms), so it's not critical. Just nice to have.

Thank you.

[steve zemke]

Ask the experts. Email the company and see what they say.

[Fred Michael]

I would never be able to trust it. Replace it.

[Garey Guzman]

Ask the experts. Email the company and see what they say.

^^ Practical answer.

The cheap owner of my team says to take it out, clean out the line, tap it, put a low regulated air pressure in and see if it becomes unstuck.
The crew chief of my team says throw it away nd never look back. A faulty oil pressure gauge is worth less than a cheating spouse.

[kea]

Junk.
If you take one apart and see what makes this style pressure gauge work (same as Smith) then you would understand that something has happened to it mechanically and it should not be trusted.

[dereklola]

Go digital.
or VDO.

[SteveG]

I agree with Keith, Junk. A new mechanical Racetech dual gauge from Demon Tweeks is about $150 including shipping...
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/us/racetech-oil-pressure-water-temperature-dual-gauge-247035/

[Earley Motorsports]

Sell it to someone who has a motor with no oil pressure. They will be good to go.

[billtebbutt]

...All I had to see was the brand. It was junk when originally installed, and still is junk....

best,
bt

[RussMcB]

Thanks, all. It will be trashed and replaced.

In my last car (big fat Spec Miata), I had Autometer Elite electrical full sweep gauges with programmable warning lights. They were nice. Any opinions on them or something similar? I'll need 2 1/16" size.

My mechanical gauges are redundant to my dash display, but I'm old school and instinctively look at the round dials first.

[BorkRacing]

Stack gauges are autometer products now. They use standard sending units as found in a lot of dashes and data systems. FWIW