Oil pressure on high mileage car
03-21-2007, 06:19 PM
#1
Oil pressure on high mileage car My car has about 170000 miles on it and as far as I know its the factory drivetrain. When it gets up to temp, it will idle around 30psi, sometimes a little higher but its pretty consistant. Its not burning much oil but I'm wondering if this is typical of a car with this many miles on it? I drive it pretty dosile but I have taken it to the track once before when it had less miles. Just wondering other people's opinion on this, since it seems to be a bit lower than what most other member's car are running at.
thanks for your input,
Rob
thanks for your input,
Rob
03-22-2007, 08:42 AM
#5
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That is typical of a car with that kind of mileage,
I would not worry about it,
Teh rings don't seal as well and everything does not seal as well with that kind of mileage,
You wouldn't expect it to act like a brand new car,
As long as its fairly consistent and not dropping down in into the teens,
I would not sweat it,
I would not worry about it,
Teh rings don't seal as well and everything does not seal as well with that kind of mileage,
You wouldn't expect it to act like a brand new car,
As long as its fairly consistent and not dropping down in into the teens,
I would not sweat it,
03-22-2007, 09:19 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by SERIALPIMP
That is typical of a car with that kind of mileage,
I would not worry about it,
Teh rings don't seal as well and everything does not seal as well with that kind of mileage,
You wouldn't expect it to act like a brand new car,
As long as its fairly consistent and not dropping down in into the teens,
I would not sweat it,
I would not worry about it,
Teh rings don't seal as well and everything does not seal as well with that kind of mileage,
You wouldn't expect it to act like a brand new car,
As long as its fairly consistent and not dropping down in into the teens,
I would not sweat it,
03-22-2007, 09:46 AM
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Before you go about the significant effort of replacing your oil pump you might think about verifying the accuracy of your sender and gauge. I replaced the sender on my LT1 engine and gained nearly 15 lbs of pressure at idle. I thought the engine was on its last leg until then.
BTW, it is usually the cam bearings that lower oil pressure. If main or rod bearings are worn enough to drop pressure then the engine is making ominous noise or will be shortly. Fuel injected engines will not wear cylinder walls or rings for a great length of time due to the proper air / fuel mix that keeps from washing the cylinder walls of lubrication. Most modern engines can easily go 200k and show little wear.
BTW, it is usually the cam bearings that lower oil pressure. If main or rod bearings are worn enough to drop pressure then the engine is making ominous noise or will be shortly. Fuel injected engines will not wear cylinder walls or rings for a great length of time due to the proper air / fuel mix that keeps from washing the cylinder walls of lubrication. Most modern engines can easily go 200k and show little wear.
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03-22-2007, 09:47 AM
#8
I would said that is typical of a high mileage car in that range, Rings would not have too much to do with the low pressure. But bearing and the Pump spring are most likely showing there age.
What is the pressure at higher RPM's ? General rule of thumb is 10psi for every 1K of RPM.
What is the pressure at higher RPM's ? General rule of thumb is 10psi for every 1K of RPM.
. LT1's are a PITA to change the oil pump in, not for sure bout the LS1 but i know LT1's sukkkkkkk
03-22-2007, 12:29 PM
#10
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seems like ok pressure just watch for any sudden changes in the pressure, such as 30psi this week 20 next week then 10 etc.. and yes bjamick it sucks on the lt1 I had to drop the pan to reattched the pickup tube on my lt1 car it sucked. Ls1 pumps on on the crank behind the timing cover.
04-23-2007, 05:44 PM
#11
damnit i'm sorry forgot i posted this thread cuz I wasn't getting any info before it slid off the first page. Anyways, The car doesn't have any knocking going on so that's good. The pressure has always been consistantly in the 30s when at hot idle. It hasn't dropped any less than that yet in the 20k miles i've put on this car. When I rev it up, it does rise about 10 psi for every 1k rpms. When I floor it, it seems to peg above 60 the entire time so i assume thats good as well. I'm saving for a rebuild kit right now so I don't have to worry about this anymore because I like to drive my car spiritedly haha. Given what I've said, how many miles do you think are left on this engine?
04-23-2007, 07:51 PM
#12
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Sounds like you're fine. If the pump can still build 60+psi, the bypass spring or anything else in the pump is not going bad. 30psi at hot idle is also not bad for a high mileage engine. If you really wanted you could do a cam swap with a new oil pump and be fine as these engines are tough, but if I were you, just save for a rebuild and go all out.
Jason
Jason
04-24-2007, 04:06 PM
#13
thanks for the input Camaro99SS. The plan has always been to go cam only for this car, do you think it will really put a strain too hard for this engine to handle? I could swing a new oil pump if that will help any. Would a low 230s cam be too much? That's all I'm planning on installing besides a ported t/b and some tuning. Any thoughts?
04-25-2007, 12:54 PM
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At normal temps my car runs aprox. 45-50 psi, but if it idles in traffic for extended periods or I run it hard my pressure drops to 38-40. Been told this is normal, but my last ls1 car did not do this.
04-25-2007, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by LS100CAMSS
At normal temps my car runs aprox. 45-50 psi, but if it idles in traffic for extended periods or I run it hard my pressure drops to 38-40. Been told this is normal, but my last ls1 car did not do this.
04-25-2007, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff M
I usually idle at 40-45 but it'll drop to 35 sometimes after i get on it or traffic like you stated. That makes me feel better now.
