Yesterday my oil pressure dropped quite a bit. 15-20# hot. It was just above the red. It was a pretty hot day.

Any idea what it could be? Car runs fine and pressure rises when I rev it.

Today I started it and it was 30# cold.

 

Are you sure its a true value Ed?

 

All I can go by is the gauge. The car runs fine. Just worried me when it dropped into the red.

 

rod bearing maybe?

 

I hope not. It a fairly new engine. Car runs fine.

 

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.

 

I would be really worried with your symptoms.

Mine at least will go up in pressure when I drive it.

 

Thanks Ed, with that I think my Wednesday is planed I won't even bother with the pump.

 

What oil filter you running?? I always use KN due to its high flow and excellent oil pressure. I had a similar problem when I used a FRAM (junk) filter. Pressure dropped to same levels as you. When I changed to KN I run 50 cold...40 hot.

 

Rod Bearing , Oil pump!!!

My friend had the same problem with his new 408ci engine it turns Rod Bearing it started just like you Check it out fast dont be sorry later.

Sorry I know its a new engine I saw vid of your old dying.
Hope nothing major.

 

Thats interesting. I started with a K&N. Then realized I was going to change the oil a couple times, switched to a Fram. Then a Bosch. And currently I am using a Mobil1 filter. I guess I could order another K&N. But I don't really see that helping that much.

 

I hope not. I have not raced it or used the Nitrous yet.

I also sent an email to my builder to see what he thinks.

 

My car had an AC Delco when I got it. It ran at aprox 25 to 30 hot....when i made m first oil change my pressure wen to hell. After some research i went with a KN and the pressure became a healthy 40 to 45 hot. I believe is because of the low restrictive characteristics of the KN filter that improves overall pressure in the oiling system...it dont hurt to try!

 

Got a part # dude or is tis something I can pick up at the advance auto store? I've been having the same trouble about 19 #s at idle,new shortblock but mine is 60 when cold and cruising speed 2200rpm its at 35#s. So I'll tell you what my plans are. I went to NAPA and got a oil pressure sending unit for a 98 because different years use different senders. Its a resistance thing. If It still reads the same I'm going to tap out the tap above the oil filter and put a mech. gauge on it. If its still low its going to be thick o ring time for the oil pump. If that don't cure the bitch its going to get a new ported oil pump. And if that don't work I'm going to park the bitch under the garage and go by it every Sunday and poke it with a stick.

 

Your right, its worth a try.

 

The K&N filter can be had at Autozone, Advance, etc. Roughly same price as Mobil 1 filter, but I have no idea the part number off the top of my head. I wanna say I remember reading a thread where a guy changed the sending unit and got back some #s, maybe it was reading all screwy?

-J

 

Talked to my builder, he suggest I run only 20-50. So will give that a shot this weekend.

 

trust me you will know when a rod bearing spins.......
the hotter it is the thinner your oil gets....that causes lower pressures ...id say its fine...JMO

 

What should I hear if I spun a bearing? I m guessing a bunch of noise.
The engine seems to be running fine. He wants me to try a heavier oil and see if he pressure drops after a 1000 miles or so.

 

You shouldnt need to run 20w50. It should have plenty of pressure with 5w30. The thichest I run in these things is 10w40. Even blower motors.
Does it knock at all when you first start it up? When rod bearings start to go, they usually will knock for just a couple seconds when you first start it up, until it gets pressure and then the knock goes away. Thats a sure sign the bearings have too much clearance.