Schump

I have a 1992 xtra cab 4WD DLX truck that's "just broken in" by Toyota standards.... 177k on the clock.

I've noticed that at startup when cold, my oil pressure is good, according to the non-emperical factory gauge... about in the middle of the gauge. Just a bit worried as when he gets warmed up, it dips a good bit below the left side line on the gauge. of course, it goes up to kosher when on the road or just revving it at a stop light to 2000 or more rpm at a stoplight. What kind of oil pressure do y'all see at idle (800 rpm, isn't that ~correct according to Haynes?) when the engine is fully warmed up.
btw, I'm running 5w30 Total brand synthetic oil. I also have heard from oil industry pro's that the important # in viscosity is the 2nd one, the hot viscosity, so even though the always somewhat ambiguous chart in Haynes says "10W30", I thought 5w30 would be OK to run. It was 1 qt low 600 miles ago, I'll check it again tomorrow before I head home again for the weekend, but I've definitely added more than 1 qt/3000 miles for a year or two.
How much oil does your 3VZE consume between oil changes, or qts/1000 miles?
Thanks,
Dave

Should I hook up a mechanical gauge at the sender to get an actual #, switch to 10w30 in domestic oil (total either doesn't make 1030 or my wholesaler from VW/0000 parts manaaging days NorthSide Imports doesn't carry it.), or just let 'er eat as this is normal for a 3vze w/ 177k on the clock?

Also, he's burning a bit of oil, i'll have to keep track of it as far as quarts/1000 miles go. I know engines should burn ~1 qt per 3000 miles, but I think mine is a bit thirstier than that, and I cannot find a leak.

bmcghie

I also run Total 5w30 synthetic, the cheaper of the two variants... but apparently it's still a full synthetic. My engine has 235000 kilometers on it, and I change the oil every 7500km (~5000mi).

Mine uses a tiny bit (1/4 qt) in the first 3000mi, but the last ~2000 usually require just over a quart to keep it full till the oil change. My valve covers have a slight leak... but not enough to drip ever.

My engine usually runs at 3000rpm all day, and at that speed, warmed up, my pressure is about a 1/3rd of the way up the gauge. Maybe 1/3 of the way between the first line and the second line (left to right).

Idling when fully warm... just above the L mark, sometimes touching it after loooooong highway journeys. This pressure behavior is consistent regardless of when I have changed the oil last.

As I understand it, your pressure is fine at idle as long as you HAVE pressure at idle. I don't know what to tell you about your mystery leak though. Maybe the rear main crankshaft seal is starting to go? Either that, or I bet your valve covers leak a tiny tiny bit, especially at higher rpms.