Oil pressure problem?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 157
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From: ARLINGTON, WA
Oil pressure problem? So I was driving home a couple of days ago and sitting at my usual long *** light when my car began to shudder in pain, so instinctivly I looked at my guages first and saw that my oil was at the second mark below 40.( you know it starts at like 20 then there is a thick hash mark and then 40 and then another mark and then 80.. ) anyway it was jumping around violently from that second hash mark to 40. I worried and got it home and it went away when I got up the next morning. But then I noticed that the oil pressure is now at that 2nd to last big hash mark before 80!! Im worried. Anyone know what might be wrong? I believe normal is 40.
If the engine rpm's are jumping all over (like you seem to say they were) the oil pressure should do the same. Why it would suddenly be higher than it was is weird. Almost sounds like something partially plugged the sensor or a passage somewhere.
The issue with the LS1 pumps is they lose pressure - they go to 0 for no reason. But 01s didn't have that problem, or so I thought. My pressure when the engine is warm is around 50 driving, 40 idling, and >65 cold. On the stock motor it was about 10 psi less across the board.
The issue with the LS1 pumps is they lose pressure - they go to 0 for no reason. But 01s didn't have that problem, or so I thought. My pressure when the engine is warm is around 50 driving, 40 idling, and >65 cold. On the stock motor it was about 10 psi less across the board.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: ARLINGTON, WA
Originally Posted by WAHUSKER
If the engine rpm's are jumping all over (like you seem to say they were) the oil pressure should do the same. Why it would suddenly be higher than it was is weird. Almost sounds like something partially plugged the sensor or a passage somewhere.
The issue with the LS1 pumps is they lose pressure - they go to 0 for no reason. But 01s didn't have that problem, or so I thought. My pressure when the engine is warm is around 50 driving, 40 idling, and >65 cold. On the stock motor it was about 10 psi less across the board.
The issue with the LS1 pumps is they lose pressure - they go to 0 for no reason. But 01s didn't have that problem, or so I thought. My pressure when the engine is warm is around 50 driving, 40 idling, and >65 cold. On the stock motor it was about 10 psi less across the board.
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a pump is $150 or a less depends on what you get and where.
There is a spun bearing club in the internal section. Look it over and see if any of those symptoms match your problem. I know I was told oil pressure would be all over the place with a spun bearing and not just low pressure startup. It's is not uncommon for these cars.
Not challenging anyones knowledge either just throwing it out there
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...t=spun+bearing
There is a spun bearing club in the internal section. Look it over and see if any of those symptoms match your problem. I know I was told oil pressure would be all over the place with a spun bearing and not just low pressure startup. It's is not uncommon for these cars.
Not challenging anyones knowledge either just throwing it out there
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...t=spun+bearing
Last edited by 99blancoSS; Mar 17, 2007 at 10:48 AM.
A spun bearing should give you low pressure at idle. Although if it just happened, you might see it fluctuate as the bearing goes away. I would be more suspect of the pump, or maybe the oil sending unit or the gauge. Might be worth tearing the dash apart & measuring what the gauge is seeing (voltage). THe sending unit is located on the top of the engine behind the intake manifold, where the old school SBC distributor is. It's a bitch to get to with the eng in the car! You have to remove the intake....
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,662
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From: LaConner WA
'01's did still have a problem, at least mine did. I had my pump replaced under warranty at 15,000 miles because of zero oil pressure on startup one time. I noticed instantly and flat bedded it to the dealer. Oil pressure jumping around seems more indicative of low oil level, spun bearing etc.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 748
Likes: 18
I remember when the family Grand Am spun a bearing at 245k miles. I was driving it and it had no power, got louder and louder and oil pressure would fluctuate randomly. I checked the oil three times before I drove it to meet my dad because he thought the cat could have been plugged, I made it halfway to him before the engine totally seized. Different engine, but same situation.
I am not to familiar with the internals of the LSx engines, but when the bearings went on the Grand Am it just blocked flow to part of the engine, that is why it showed up full everytime I looked at it, it was full, just wasn't flowing.
Have any oil leaks? Filter on tight? Plug on tight? Those would cause oil pressure issues I would imagine. Mine runs consistantly 45ish at idle, probably close to 55 or 60 when cold.
I am not to familiar with the internals of the LSx engines, but when the bearings went on the Grand Am it just blocked flow to part of the engine, that is why it showed up full everytime I looked at it, it was full, just wasn't flowing.
Have any oil leaks? Filter on tight? Plug on tight? Those would cause oil pressure issues I would imagine. Mine runs consistantly 45ish at idle, probably close to 55 or 60 when cold.