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Low oil pressure?

Old Jan 8, 2003 | 02:56 AM
  #1  
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Default Low oil pressure?

Ok, so when i bought my car, at idle i had 40+ psi oil pressure.. and its been that way for almost 10k miles. Within the past month or two its slowly come down. Right now, at idle, it can get as low as 30 psi... Im using AMSoil 10w40 and an AMSoil filter. At WOT, towards the top of my rpm range, the pressure reads about 60.. but doesnt usually go past it.

Another wierd thing is that when i start up the car in the morning, it only reads a little over 40... so i dunno whats goin on. I had a new oil pump put in not very long ago, when i had the first cam changed. Maybe something isnt right? The pickup o-ring? I need some help here.. this is my daily driver and i dont want it to suddenly go to zero one day.... All opinions welcomed! Thanks!
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 03:08 AM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

The pressure will be higher when the oil is cool, so 40 at idle cold and 30 at idle hot isn't strange. As a motor wears over time, the pressure will get a little lower. Your car seems just fine IMO.

How many miles are on it?
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 03:11 AM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

Only 37k... the only reason im worrying about it is because it happened suddenly.. today it started dipping lower than 30.. almost in the 25 range... i dont think my engine can be that worn out with only 37k on it.. no nitrous or anything. Just a cam... maybe next time around ill use some of that "restore" crap in my oil.. see if it helps...

Also, only a month ago.. when i would start it up cold, it would be at almost 60.. now at start up its at 40? too big of a change for something not to be messed up.. ya know?
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 04:14 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

ttt, c'mon i need help with this....
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

Change the oil. You might have a clogged filter or something else so try changing the oil and filter.
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 04:18 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

Just did that... i thought it would help too, but it didnt <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 05:14 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

Any metal shavings in the oil? Does the idle pressure fluctuate quite a bit?
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 05:18 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

Amsoil 10w40 is actually thin enough to be a 30 weight oil when its at operating temp. That can account for some of the lower pressure. Did you use amsoil again on the oil change? If so, get another mechanical oil pressure guage and make sure its not the factory sender going bad.
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Old Jan 8, 2003 | 05:24 PM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fenris Ulf:
<strong> Any metal shavings in the oil? Does the idle pressure fluctuate quite a bit? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very small amount of stuff on the drain plug.. nothing out of the ordinary. And no, the idle pressure doesnt move a whole lot.. the gauge stays pretty steady.

As for the oil, i was running Redline 10w40 when i started to notice this oil pressure problem. When i changed the oil a few days ago, i switched to AMSoil 10w40... A while back i was using royal purple 15w40 and i had great oil pressure and im thinking of going back to that. But i need to get this fixed...
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Old Jan 9, 2003 | 12:44 AM
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Default Re: Low oil pressure?

ttt
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 06:51 PM
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where on a ls1 is a good place to install a mech oil pressure gauge
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 02:44 PM
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Hello , from the oil pump . That might be the only real option that would be accurate .drill and tap a hole in the pump and a hole in the timing cover . I don't know , there has to be a decent spot other than the pump . I'm going to go see if I can find a location before I install my engine cause I have a mechanical gauge kit .
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 09:48 PM
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had a problem with the oil pressure on my 2000 ta. i was driving down the highway at 70 mph in sixth and everything was fine then i heard a clank and lost all oil pressure. i think its the pump, but wanted to get some ideas... if any one has any thing to say please me konw i would like to know what to replace it with if thats what i need to do. that what i think im going to start with and go from there thanks
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 12:05 PM
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I run Amsoil 5W-40 and Amsoil Ea Filter. 60 psi cold, just over 40 psi hot.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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I have the exact same problem....subscribed.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 12:28 PM
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I've got 127k on mine now. I burn through a court of oil or so between changes, which I hear is pretty common. When I first do an oil change I have great pressure, but after some driving at normal temps my pressure goes down. My gauge is pretty steady for the most part, but every now and then "quivers" a little. Occasionally, I get a "check guages" light that I am pretty sure is being caused by the oil issue. When I go WOT and slap it in cruise control I maintain high pressure. If I don't use cruise control on the highway, I only keep about 40-45 psi, regardless of my rpm's. I'm thinking the problem is either the sending unit, worn rings, old pump or a combanation of all.
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Old May 21, 2011 | 03:24 PM
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I'm having trouble with my oil pressure. When/if it will start up the pressure is at 40, but when it gets warm the pressure is extremely low. (anywhere from 0-15). Also, once the engine is warm it will not start up agian. When the car does run it has no power at all. I already replaced the oil pump so I'm lost as to what else could be causing the low pressure.

Last edited by ska4life07; May 21, 2011 at 03:46 PM.
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