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Low Oil Pressure at Idle

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Old 09-06-2007, 09:46 PM
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I am going to try to get a mechanical gauge installed. But if no one has any other ideas. I will plan on pulling the engine again.
Old 09-07-2007, 09:56 AM
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That sounds like an o-ring or oil pump to me.
Old 09-07-2007, 10:39 AM
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If it was that, it would be great. Can you change it while the engine is in the car?
Old 09-07-2007, 02:52 PM
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yes you can. you are basically going to remove the water pump, crank pulley, and timing cover, and drop the oil pan (so as not to drop the pick up tube bolt) you'll see what I mean when you get there.
Old 09-07-2007, 03:44 PM
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I can give that a shot. I was wondering if the tube would be a problem.

Thanks.
Old 09-07-2007, 04:11 PM
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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.
Old 08-03-2008, 04:04 PM
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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.
Old 08-03-2008, 04:48 PM
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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.
Old 08-03-2008, 04:59 PM
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stock gauge or a mechanical aftermarket one?
Old 08-03-2008, 05:03 PM
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Stock guage.

I just noticed my interior lights stay on. Maybe its an electrical problem.
Old 08-03-2008, 05:52 PM
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Switched the cluster with a friends. Mine works fine in his car. His doesn't work in mine.

But with his cluster in, the gauge does't rise and stays on zero.
Old 08-03-2008, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DadsYellowGoat
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
Old 08-03-2008, 08:53 PM
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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.
Old 08-03-2008, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by blkbird
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.
Old 08-04-2008, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Ed Blown Vert
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!
Old 08-16-2008, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by blkbird
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!

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.
Attached Thumbnails Low Oil Pressure at Idle-bottom.jpg   Low Oil Pressure at Idle-bottom1.jpg  
Old 08-17-2008, 08:56 AM
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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.
Old 08-17-2008, 10:53 AM
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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.
Old 08-17-2008, 11:16 AM
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It's not just that its loose. Ensure that the gasket is in good order.
Old 08-17-2008, 11:20 AM
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True. I plan on taking it completely off.


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