Temp and Oil Gauges Fluctuating

[BallSackJack]

I've searched past topics but couldn't really find anything to help. Recently my SES light came on (I forget the code) but it was said the car was running too rich. The mechanics replaced the Idle Air Control which seemed to fix this problem. However, since the day the car was worked on the temperature and oil gauges have been fluctuating a lot which is abnormal for this car. I've owned the car for about 15 months and my temperature is always around 175 or so and my oil pressure has always been around 60. Now the car, once warmed up, has a temperature reading that fluctuates back and forth between 190 and 225 never staying at the same reading (whether I'm driving or idling). And the oil pressure is about 55 while I'm on the gas but as soon as I let go it drops pretty much instantly near the 1/4 mark. I brought the car back to the mechanics, all they did was just replace the IAC again but that hasnt helped at all. Sorry about the longevity of this post. Any help appreciated. Thanks

[pgtr]

Re: Temp and Oil Gauges Fluctuating

When my '84 oil guage started fluctuating I replaced the oil pressure sending unit and it's been steady ever since. I tried cleaning the sender but that didn't help.

[CDNFB]

Re: Temp and Oil Gauges Fluctuating

For your cooling problem:
1) Check that your radiator cap is sealing properly. Go get it and the cooling system pressure checked.
2) Fluctuating engine temps can mean vapor locks or air in the system. When the engine is running at operating temperature open the cooling system bleeder screw and remove any air that may be in the system.

For your oil pressure problem:

1) Is your idle RPM proper? If they replaced your IAC and your idle is now excessively low, your oil pressure can also be low.

2) Make sure your oil level is correct and that the oil filter is not plugging up and bypassing (replace the oil filter).

3) Confirm the oil gauge is reading correctly by removing the pressure sender and install in it's place an adaptor and mechanical gauge. If the mechanical gauge shows correct oil pressure, replace the sender.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Make sure that there is no antifreeze/coolant in the oil. It makes me nervous when both the oil and cooling sytems start to have problems at the same time.

[BallSackJack]

Re: Temp and Oil Gauges Fluctuating

Thanks for your help, got everything taken care of....for now I think

[CDNFB]

Re: Temp and Oil Gauges Fluctuating

What did you have taken care of? What did you do or have done and what findings?