Let me preface this with, I'm a college student trying to avoid replacing the engine entirely...

I have a 95 v6, and my oil pressure drops on the gauge when the car is idling (not at initial start up, usually about after a few minutes of driving). This happens when the rpms fall below 1000, the oil pressure gauge flutters and then falls off the charts. When I rev the engine, back above 1000, the pressure gauge goes back up.

The thing is the engine doesnt stop when this happens, it continues to run. And the amount of oil in the car is consistent, so it's not leaking. I suspect it is a bad bearing and maybe metal shavings are in the oil.

This engine has about 90k on it, and makes a tick/ping noise when accelerating. It hasnt been a problem, except today I was in a lot of traffic (aka i was idling a lot) and the engine began to over heat. This made me rethink whether the oil pressure is actually becoming a problem.

If I have to replace the entire engine, im considering using a '98 instead of a 94 or 95 since I heard they have fewer problems, but in the mean time is there anything I can do to maintain what I have a little longer? Maybe a heaver grade oil?

 

sending unit maybe. i seriously doubt it'll come to needed a new motor

 

probably a higher grade oil, and possible a higher grade gas, if u have some ping. i dont know y but my 02 v6 pings when i put that really cheap gas like 83, but doesnt when i put 89 or 92 in it. but hey all cars r diffrent.

 

I didnt read the whole post, but it could just be your gauge. Half of them on there are just dummy gauges.