High Oil Pressure?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk Va
High Oil Pressure?
hey guys,
just browsing the forum ive noticed people saying that their cars oil pressure drops to around 12-15psi at idle when warm and mine NEVER drops below 47psi ever and goes as high as high 60's under WOT! is this somthing that should be addressed or nothing to worry about?
thanks in advance guys!!
just browsing the forum ive noticed people saying that their cars oil pressure drops to around 12-15psi at idle when warm and mine NEVER drops below 47psi ever and goes as high as high 60's under WOT! is this somthing that should be addressed or nothing to worry about?
thanks in advance guys!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
The following assumes that the oil & filter are in good shape,
that there isn't an accumulation of sludge (not common) and
that the gauge/sender are reporting accurately.
Do you know whether the oil pump has been changed?
High 60's psi at redline seems to indicate a pump with an aftermarket
spring for the bypass valve - these typically result in +/- 70 psi readings.
Views differ on maximum pressures, I follow the '10 psi per 1,000 rpm'
crowd. But consistently high 60's are not a showstopper - I would
not disassemble to change this were it my car.
About the high idle pressure - someone familiar with high volume
pumps (volume is a different pump characteristic than pressure)
might confirm that idle pressure goes up when a HV pump is used.
What brand & weight of oil is used. What filter?
.
that there isn't an accumulation of sludge (not common) and
that the gauge/sender are reporting accurately.
Do you know whether the oil pump has been changed?
High 60's psi at redline seems to indicate a pump with an aftermarket
spring for the bypass valve - these typically result in +/- 70 psi readings.
Views differ on maximum pressures, I follow the '10 psi per 1,000 rpm'
crowd. But consistently high 60's are not a showstopper - I would
not disassemble to change this were it my car.
About the high idle pressure - someone familiar with high volume
pumps (volume is a different pump characteristic than pressure)
might confirm that idle pressure goes up when a HV pump is used.
What brand & weight of oil is used. What filter?
.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Olympia Washington 91 Z07 Coupe, 6spd, Borla Exhaust, Perf. Ignition, K&N Filter
your not the only one, my oil pressure is pretty high as well, nothing wrong with that in theory as long as its not too high, just lubing the motor well
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk Va
im using full synthetic mobil 5/30...i dont have any idea what pump is in the car...if its a high volume it was there when i got it! lol
edit: the filter is just a fram with the easy grip on it? idk
edit: the filter is just a fram with the easy grip on it? idk
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Well, the pump is powered by the distributor, which is driven
by the back end of the cam, that is driven by the front of the
cam, which is driven by the timing chain. Reducing the pumping
pressure brings a buffet of benefits.
As for higher volume, unnecessary oil is bypassed within the pump
back to the inlet. Pumping action heats the oil, bypassed oil just
gains further heat as it recirculates.
Aim for the appropriate pressure/volume for your application.
.
by the back end of the cam, that is driven by the front of the
cam, which is driven by the timing chain. Reducing the pumping
pressure brings a buffet of benefits.
As for higher volume, unnecessary oil is bypassed within the pump
back to the inlet. Pumping action heats the oil, bypassed oil just
gains further heat as it recirculates.
Aim for the appropriate pressure/volume for your application.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
looks like an 1-1/2 - 2" adapter fitted between the filter and the block,
there is a metal tube that runs under the forward section of the oil pan
(for coolant).
When the engine is under load for a time (track events), oil temp will
come up. As long as it is under 240-250, life is good. With synthetic,
track people run sessions and report seeing 280-300 and more
- personally, I'd find a solution if this happened with my car. Not
an issue for you.
The 5W-30 won't cause high idle psi (20W-50 might elevate psi)
Is FRAM respected now? ACDelco have been well-regarded in the
past.
.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
"mine NEVER drops below 47psi ever and goes as high as high 60's under WOT!"
If you are basing that on the OE dash gauge ,maybe check with a aftermarket mechanical gauge to confirm actual pressures.
Mine showed similar readings ,showed normal with mech gauge.
Sender unit at rear of block was playing up.
Old age
If you are basing that on the OE dash gauge ,maybe check with a aftermarket mechanical gauge to confirm actual pressures.
Mine showed similar readings ,showed normal with mech gauge.
Sender unit at rear of block was playing up.
Old age
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
Your '87 likely has the effective OEM oil-to-water oil cooler. This
looks like an 1-1/2 - 2" adapter fitted between the filter and the block,
there is a metal tube that runs under the forward section of the oil pan
(for coolant).
When the engine is under load for a time (track events), oil temp will
come up. As long as it is under 240-250, life is good. With synthetic,
track people run sessions and report seeing 280-300 and more
- personally, I'd find a solution if this happened with my car. Not
an issue for you.
The 5W-30 won't cause high idle psi (20W-50 might elevate psi)
Is FRAM respected now? ACDelco have been well-regarded in the
past.
.
looks like an 1-1/2 - 2" adapter fitted between the filter and the block,
there is a metal tube that runs under the forward section of the oil pan
(for coolant).
When the engine is under load for a time (track events), oil temp will
come up. As long as it is under 240-250, life is good. With synthetic,
track people run sessions and report seeing 280-300 and more
- personally, I'd find a solution if this happened with my car. Not
an issue for you.
The 5W-30 won't cause high idle psi (20W-50 might elevate psi)
Is FRAM respected now? ACDelco have been well-regarded in the
past.
.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Read my post above about confirming actual oil pressure not indicated pressure
At that # ,more than likely your sender unit is cactus.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Some quick ways to check if your electric oil pressure gauge is accurate:
1) With the key on and the engine not running, it should read zero.
2) Disconnect the electrical connector at the oil pressure sending unit, the gauge should go full-scale.
3) Short the sending unit connector to ground, it should be at the bottom of the scale.
4) Check with a known good mechanical gauge -- do you get the same reading?
Tom Piper
1) With the key on and the engine not running, it should read zero.
2) Disconnect the electrical connector at the oil pressure sending unit, the gauge should go full-scale.
3) Short the sending unit connector to ground, it should be at the bottom of the scale.
4) Check with a known good mechanical gauge -- do you get the same reading?
Tom Piper
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth Texas
Some quick ways to check if your electric oil pressure gauge is accurate:
1) With the key on and the engine not running, it should read zero.
2) Disconnect the electrical connector at the oil pressure sending unit, the gauge should go full-scale.
3) Short the sending unit connector to ground, it should be at the bottom of the scale.
4) Check with a known good mechanical gauge -- do you get the same reading?
Tom Piper
1) With the key on and the engine not running, it should read zero.
2) Disconnect the electrical connector at the oil pressure sending unit, the gauge should go full-scale.
3) Short the sending unit connector to ground, it should be at the bottom of the scale.
4) Check with a known good mechanical gauge -- do you get the same reading?
Tom Piper
.Louis