Low Oil Pressure at Idle
Mine runs about 50# cold 35# hot, but just this past week after an hour of stop in go on the way to the dragstrip, then 5 hot laps, I noticed my pressue was down to 20# at idle. I let the car cool for about an hour and idle pressure was back at 35# and the car was still sitting an normal operating temperature. Btw, as my car got hotter and oil pressure dropped, I started getting slower trap speeds and E.T.s with the same 60' times, so I was losing top end, which tells me I was very heat soaked. 95* ambient temperature BTW with at least 65% humidity. New oil pump installed with the cam just about a month ago.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,066
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From: Sunny San Diego
I can't believe its been a year. I finally got a new Melling pump in. (Yes I know I lagged)
30# of pressure right as I started the car. Let it warm up, dropped to 20#.
Took it for a spin down the street, at the end off the street. Pressure dropped to zero.
Car runs great. I guess its now either bearings or gauge.
30# of pressure right as I started the car. Let it warm up, dropped to 20#.
Took it for a spin down the street, at the end off the street. Pressure dropped to zero.
Car runs great. I guess its now either bearings or gauge.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
From: Sunny San Diego
When I turn the key to on, the gauge goes to zero. Key off, gauge will rise to about 10-20#.
On my friends Camaro. His always stays on zero.
So maybe the gauge?
I just started it back up. Gauge always shows zero now.
Rev it up to about 3k, no knock at all.
On my friends Camaro. His always stays on zero.
So maybe the gauge?
I just started it back up. Gauge always shows zero now.
Rev it up to about 3k, no knock at all.
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I have a similar problem still not really sure what it is. New engine, suddenly happen after hitting rev limiter but really the engine probably didn't see more then 7k. What I notice and maybe yours is doing the same thing when I get on it and go through the gears the pressure drops to almost nothing and as soon as I leave off it goes back up to the low15-20 idle. I am debating trying the oil pump before I pull the engine put the pump was new with the engine.
Sounds like it could be bearings
I just went through the same thing. It ended up being the cam retainer plate. Alot of people dont suspect that. The gasket had come apart from the plate and some of it fell apart. The bolts had also come loose. I have a thread about it in this section with pics. My pressure was gradually decreasing until about three weekends ago it went to about 5-8 psi hot idle. I decided to park it and check into that. Now i have 40-45psi hot idle and 65+ at WOT!! Cruising at 70mphs about 55psi. I also went through swapping senders and o-rings and made no difference. Just a thought.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
From: Sunny San Diego
I just went through the same thing. It ended up being the cam retainer plate. Alot of people dont suspect that. The gasket had come apart from the plate and some of it fell apart. The bolts had also come loose. I have a thread about it in this section with pics. My pressure was gradually decreasing until about three weekends ago it went to about 5-8 psi hot idle. I decided to park it and check into that. Now i have 40-45psi hot idle and 65+ at WOT!! Cruising at 70mphs about 55psi. I also went through swapping senders and o-rings and made no difference. Just a thought.
Wish I had known about that when I had it apart. Its a new engine and I wouldn't think something like that would happen so soon.
I guess its coming apart again. Thanks.
Let us know how it turns out. That was the last thing i was going to check before i would have started tearing the whole motor apart!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
From: Sunny San Diego
I took the pan off, found a paper towel. I guess I left in the pan when I did the oil pump.
Got it all cleaned up. Had 20# at cold idle. Would come up to 40#.
Ran fine for a few miles. Stayed about 10# per 1000 rpms.
Then on the way back to the house, noticed it was dropping. 20# on the freeway. 5-10 at idle for a second, then it will drop to zero.
Going to drain the oil again, change the filter. Also change the sensor.
If it drops to zero and the gauge is correct, then you better be prepared for doing some rebuilding. Did you replace the cam retainer plate? They are like 24 dollars from the dealership and have a new gasket on it. Here's a question, do you have a double roller timing chain that has the spacers between the oil pump? They could be lined up wrong and could restrict the oil flow.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
From: Sunny San Diego
I hope I don't have to rebuild it. Its a new engine.
I will be taking the cover off to check the plate. I am hoping the plate is just loose.
No double-roller.
Thanks.
I will be taking the cover off to check the plate. I am hoping the plate is just loose.
No double-roller.
Thanks.