1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

I just drove my car from getting tuned and the oil pressure has dropped from the usual 40-60 driving around town to 20-30. Anyone have any ideas? They would be greatly appreciated.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Possible oil pump failure, spun bearing, or stretched rod bolt. I wouldnt drive it till you figure it out.

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

What are the symptoms of each?

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Low oil PSI and a ticking or knocking noise.

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

Its making a slight knocking noise when im in gear, but not when I rev. It was perfect before the tune.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

If its having mechanical knock under load you probably need to tear it apart and find out what is causing it. I would bet that whatever is causing the noise is causing you low oil PSI too.

heres another thread with similiar symptoms like you have. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/644646-tapping-over-3k-rpm-s.html

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

anyone else

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

Could the tune have anything to do with it? What does you guys oil pressure range from?

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Tune has nothing to do with the mechanics of the noiling system. Oil PSI should not drop far below 40 at idle.

rob2269

My car has never had very high oil pressure...and it definitely doesn't idle at 40 psi...mine usually idles at around upper teens to low 20's...and only breaks 40 psi when its cold...

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

If thats how its always been thats a different story though. His just suddenly dropped a lot, not good.

Steve Bryant

iTrader: (1)

The new noise and oil pressure drop are not good signs. I suspect that it is probably a rod bearing (although it could be a main bearing, but less likely). The drop in pressure is because you now have more oil clearance between bearing and journal. If it were just the pump (and there is no reason that tuning the engine would cause it to fail) you wouldn't be getting the knocking noise. When you rev the engine, other engine noises mask the knock that can be heard at low RPM. If you had bent a pushrod (which I doubt since you have hardened Comp pushrods), you wouldn't have a drop in oil pressure. All of this is speculation on my part, but if it were mine, I'd be pulling the pan.

Best of luck in this adventure,

Steve

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

How long do you think it would take with the motor in the car?

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

A few hours. I would just drop the engine out instead though and put it on a stand.

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

I would but the place im doing it at, I only have maybe saturday to do everything.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

You can pull the engine/trans in a few hours and just throw it on a stand, flip it over and pull the oil pan. That way you can get a very good look at the parts in there. Besides more than likely its gonna be a bearing anyway, which requires you to pull it anyway. I hate to tell you that, but when you lose oils psi and have some tap/knock, that whats most likely.

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

I know what your saying, but that would suck if it was just the oil pump

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

But either way I have to tear it apart

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

Not if its just the oil pump, did you swap pumps when the cam was installed?

1999ssls1

iTrader: (71)

No, it was supposed to be an ls6 pump. I meant tear the front apart.