Low oil pressure
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Quebec,Canada
Low oil pressure Hi everyone I'm not sure if what I have read here and there on the web is correct about oil pressure.
My LS1 always had 42-44 PSI at 700rpm(idle) and it suddenly is at 30-32.
At crusing RPM(1600-2k) it indicate 40-42 PSI and never go higher than 59-60 at WOT.
Using same oil as always;Mobil 1 5w30.
Stock gauge if it matters.
The engine also ''knocks'' sometimes,does'nt burn oil and no leak.
My LS1 always had 42-44 PSI at 700rpm(idle) and it suddenly is at 30-32.
At crusing RPM(1600-2k) it indicate 40-42 PSI and never go higher than 59-60 at WOT.
Using same oil as always;Mobil 1 5w30.
Stock gauge if it matters.
The engine also ''knocks'' sometimes,does'nt burn oil and no leak.
I had the same deal with my old motor, had 150k miles of not so easy driving and eventually my oil pump went out, to this day I believe it was the pickup tube o-ring. I changed the oil pump because I figured that's what it was since it was having low oil pressure. I was unknowledgeable about the weak oring in ls1s. This helped for a while but it eventually went out again and went to 0psi and I didn't notice it in time, and it was a really hot day so it destroyed my motor. I would suggest you address this. I would get a new oring and pump, but first make sure you have fresh oil and your gauge is still correct.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Quebec,Canada
About 25 miles since last oil change lol.The gauge seems to be working correctly because it goes up as soon as I hit the gas a bit and goes down when I slow down.
I know hotter temp lowers oil pressure but the car rarely goes over 200F(with fans never working but that's another subject).
How long does it take to your average mechanic to change the oil pump? I am considering an LS6 pump right now.I'm used to work on smaller engines.
I know hotter temp lowers oil pressure but the car rarely goes over 200F(with fans never working but that's another subject).
How long does it take to your average mechanic to change the oil pump? I am considering an LS6 pump right now.I'm used to work on smaller engines.
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This actually happened to me last summer, and I took a chance and just changed my oil and filter. Somehow the problem went away and never came back. Not sure what the hell happened, but it is worth a shot to try.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Quebec,Canada
I had a ''cheap'' oil filter and now I'm using a FRAM.Don't know if they are REALLY good I've heard mixed opinions about them.
If you look at pictures of the Fram filter's internals, you'll realize they are junk.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Quebec,Canada
I'm having oil pressure issues myself. It's normally ALWAYS at 40. Lately at idle i'm barely hovering over 20 on a warm day. I just swapped in an LS6 intake, Stepped LT's w/ TSP ORY, MSD wireset, NGK Tr55's, and AC Delco Fuel filter. Gave it a fresh oil change with 6 quarts of pennzoil platinum 5w30 and a K&N oil filter. Not sure if any of the mods played a role, but something is going on here...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
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From: Quebec,Canada
No not only the first time.It always does that...well always on a col start.I can't tell right now if it does that too when hot.
With every properly-running LS engine I've seen, the oil pressure gauge snaps on startup from 0 to whatever cold idle oil pressure is (usually just over the 1/2 point on the gauge in warm weather) and stays there while the engine is idling up to temp. No twitching of the pressure gauge needle unless the throttle is blipped.
The two LS engines I've seen with oil system problems (one was a damaged pickup o-ring, other was unknown) the pressure gauge was twitching, even while the idle RPM was steady. Gauge was also slow to rise from zero during the initial startup.
These are tell-tale signs to look for...how does your gauge look at startup and idle? (edit: after you get a decent oil filter installed)
The two LS engines I've seen with oil system problems (one was a damaged pickup o-ring, other was unknown) the pressure gauge was twitching, even while the idle RPM was steady. Gauge was also slow to rise from zero during the initial startup.
These are tell-tale signs to look for...how does your gauge look at startup and idle? (edit: after you get a decent oil filter installed)
