Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Low Oil Pressure????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:28 PM
  #1  
soonenough98's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Default Low Oil Pressure????

I got a 2000 ws6 and its stock with the exception of a lid. the oil pressure gauge is reading around 20psi @ idle...when i first got the car a couple of weeks ago it would idle @ around 40psi.......is 20 psi safe and or normal?.......thanks
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 01:44 AM
  #2  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

its safe but doesn't seem to be the norm here. at 100k mine still had 35 hot idle. i would say replace the pump. pressure springs get old and can bleed off pressure prematurely.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 05:22 AM
  #3  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default

Was the oil freshly changed when you got it? What kind of oil did they use? What kind of filter?

20 lbs at idle is not bad, assuming it goes up to 40 while driving.

I would start with an oil change to quality oil and filter (AC Delco, etc. not Fram) and see what you have - check for any debris on the drain plug while you're at it.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 08:22 AM
  #4  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

please dont let anyone tell you a 20 lb idle pressure is normal bc its not. i have read lots of oil pressure threads and most have 30-40 on hot idle, not 20. keep a close eye on it, oil pump pressure springs fail over time (in my experience) so you should be able to tell if its getting worse. if it was my car i would replace the pump.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 09:47 AM
  #5  
soonenough98's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Default

thanks man i think im gonna get a pump and some new oil.....are melling pumps from advance ok??
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 09:56 AM
  #6  
the_merv's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21,019
Likes: 893
From: The Beach...
Default

I have a Melling HV Pump, good pump. Idles at 60+psi hot.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #7  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

i got a melling 295 which is a standard replacement pump from advance auto for about $105. exact same oil pressure as my original pump which was about 35 hot idle, 50 cruising and 70 WOT.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #8  
soonenough98's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Default

i dont think this one is high volume...is that still ok?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 10:03 AM
  #9  
soonenough98's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Default

thanks guys i appreciate the help!
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 12:10 PM
  #10  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

a 295 is standard replacement. a 296 is a high pressure and/or high volume
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:15 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE