Ed, you can do the oil pressure test, however I would recommend changing
your oil to 20w-50, changing your oil filter to a black one (German),
and then replacing a quart of the oil with a quart of Lucas Oil
Stabilizer.  This should bring the oil pressure back up to keep the
light off.  I did this with my Vanagon which has an engine with 300k
miles on it.  It bumped the oil pressure up 5 psi at hot idle (I had a
gauge installed).  If you do all of this and still have the oil light
coming on your engine is really worn out and you shouldn't drive it
until you can get it rebuilt.  However it should work.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Ed Duntz wrote:
> My '85 with 1.9 and around 170,000 miles is gettin old and tired. When I have the time and money, I'm going to replace it with a good used/rebuilt 1.9. For now, I'm settling for just trying to judge how long it's got left. I did a compression test last year- forgt the results right now, but it was "low but o.k.'
>
> Now after sustained highway driving at 60 mph or so, when I come to a stop and idle, my oil pressure light flickers. It goes out if I step on the gas. It doesn't do it after slower, easier driving.
>
> My dilemma is this: I don't have the equipment to check the oil pressure myself, and am trying to get other things done on the van before a trip from CT to VA. I'd rather not leave it off at my mechanic for a day. Will an oil pressure test really be worthhiile?
>
> Ed in CT
>
>