This may have already been covered, and if so, I apologize.
I have been told that the oil pressure gauge on Astro vans is notoriously inaccurate, and I should also update my oil pump to aftermarket. (Gauge fluctuates between 40 and around 60 when I'm stopped, while driving it sits near 60). I have a 97 Astro with the 4.3L. Can someone please clear this up for me? Also recommendations for a good oil pressure gauge/oil pump if that's the case. Thank you!
Oil Pressure Gauge question..
-
Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:33 am
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 4379
- Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
- Location: New Haven, NY
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge question..
Sounds like you already have a great running oil pump. GM's spec on the 4.3L is something like a minimum of 6 PSI at idle. I wouldn't touch anything.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition
Mileage spreadsheet
Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
-
- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge question..
It is most likely the gauge. Both oil pressure and gas gauges fluttered in my '96. I bought an instrument cluster from a salvage yard and replaced the gauges in my cluster. Everything is now rock solid.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
-
Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:33 am
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge question..
Thanks. I wasn't for sure, this is the first Astro I've owned so I didn't know for sure.
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge question..
Smiliesafari wrote:It is most likely the gauge. Both oil pressure and gas gauges fluttered in my '96. I bought an instrument cluster from a salvage yard and replaced the gauges in my cluster. Everything is now rock solid.
So now that you have the 305 in there,is it still ok??.



1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY