While driving the car on the freeway today I noticed that the oil pressure gauge would occassionaly dip from 5 all the way down to 0. This was happening while maintaining a constant RPM. I take it this is likely an oil pump about to go out...?

 

if you actually had zero oil pressure you would have heard some painful noises...most likely just the oil pressure sending unit not the pump

 

Ahhh....makes sense. No painful noises and most likely just a lighter wallet. Thanks

 

I did quite a bit of research on this when I first got my car. On my 2nd drive I noticed the oil press gauge would dip from 4 or 5 usually about 1lb less but only cruising at light throttle. What my forum search found was that the senders are known for acting up and or others said it had to do with the valve timing switching. Either way mine has acted like this for the last 450 miles and all seems well with my actual oil pressure.
On this same note..anyone know how much the sensor is and/or how easy or.hard the swap out is? Thanks!

 

Had the same problem but on the track ! It showed up sporadically and I have to tell you that seeing your oil pressure read 0 while you're at 6000 is enough to take years off your life.
Replaced the sensor and everything was fine. Go get a new sensor and live longer.

 

Guys, The high lift and the vario run off oil pressure, So as those systems need/use oil the system psi will vary. If it goes to zero and the motor does not blow then its the sender. It is a easy fix. Lower the motor and the sender is right behind the oil filter. The contacts get loose on the sender (blade type when they could have easily used a eyelets) so just lightly squeeze them. Lightly..

 

Triblk6spd - I picked mine up from Sunset Porsche. IIRC it was about $45.00.

 

Thanks guys

 

Looks super tight - anyway to swap the sender without dropping engine?

 

You just have to lower the engine about 4 inches. Very easy task and really useful....See Rolfjahn post...

 

Nice. Thanks.