Oil Pressure?

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Jan 23, 2007 | 08:54 PM

1999ssls1

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Oil Pressure?

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.

Jan 23, 2007 | 08:57 PM

brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999ssls1

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.

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

Jan 23, 2007 | 09:06 PM

1999ssls1

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What are the symptoms of each?

Jan 23, 2007 | 09:07 PM

brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999ssls1

What are the symptoms of each?

Low oil PSI and a ticking or knocking noise.

Jan 23, 2007 | 09:15 PM

1999ssls1

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

Jan 23, 2007 | 09:19 PM

brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999ssls1

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

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

Jan 23, 2007 | 09:36 PM

1999ssls1

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anyone else

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Jan 23, 2007 | 09:49 PM

brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999ssls1

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

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

Jan 23, 2007 | 10:45 PM

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rob2269

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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...

Jan 23, 2007 | 10:46 PM

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brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

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

Jan 23, 2007 | 11:04 PM

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Steve Bryant

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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

Jan 24, 2007 | 07:17 AM

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1999ssls1

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

Jan 24, 2007 | 07:23 AM

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brad8266

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

Jan 24, 2007 | 07:31 AM

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1999ssls1

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

Jan 24, 2007 | 07:34 AM

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brad8266

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999ssls1

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

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.