Oil Pressure fluctuations

[Garybreadner]

Some help please and sorry if this is a bit of a stupid question. My S1 has always shown strong oil pressure 50 at start up and 40 when warm and running. However now it’s all over the place fluctuating quite wildly from 40 down to less then 20 even with out throttle input. Once warm it hovers around 20 then may inexplicably move up to as much as 40 before dropping down again Would it be fair to say this is a gauge / sender issue or something more fundamental in the engine. Thanks for any help.

[Mich7920]

Hi Garry,

First change the sensor, it's cheap. After you'll see.
If it's the original sensor, it's well known to fail easily.

Mich

[PeterCrespin]

I assume you still have the electrical gauge, not a capillary version?

Before you buy anything take the connector off the sender down by the oil filter and touch it to earth.The needle should climb to max and stay there (don't over-do it). If not, it's probably a wiring or gauge issue but again, before buying, you can drop the instrument panel and try a fly lead to earth from sender wire on the back of the gauge and/or duplicate the power wire to be absolutely sure the sender is the problem.