OIl Pressure
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
OIl Pressure
As a non-mechanic, what should the oil pressure read at idle and at cruising speed? I have an 89 that shows low to mid 20s at idle and mid to upper 40s/low 50s at cruising speeds. After warm up, I have an engine knock that some car folks thought may be lifters that are not getting enough oil at idle, since it only happens when you're stopped. Also, they suggested an engine flush to clean things out. I decided to come to the brain trust here first. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
I vote, old school ,10lbs per thousand rpm, old guys like me like more than that, get a old broom handle , cut the broom part off, put the round end in your ear, place the other end on the engine where the noise is comming from , should be able to localize the noise and get an indication of whats wrong. report back, these folks are excellent.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
The old guy( goodness how I love to say that about somebody) is correct, 10 psi per 1k rpm. The broom handle works as does a very long screwdriver. A better solution is a $5.00 stethoscope from Harbor Freight.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 14
From: Stafford Connecticut
If you do an engine flush you will could run the risk of loosening more gunk in the engine and plugging more stuff up.If you want more oil pressure you could try a motor oil with a higher viscosity,20/50.Or you could drop your oil pan and put in a high pressure ,volume oil pump.If you think it is a stuck lifter you could try a bottle of lifter ease.I have had success using this stuff to quite noisy lifters.It removes the varnish from the lifters.
Last edited by steven mack; May 23, 2011 at 07:32 PM.
