Low Oil Pressure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
Low Oil Pressure
Hi,
Got a new message today on the DIC when I started the car: Low Oil Pressure, Check Gauges. Sat for 20 seconds and went up to 40PSI. Is this an issue or something that happens if the car sits for a week. Thanks.
Got a new message today on the DIC when I started the car: Low Oil Pressure, Check Gauges. Sat for 20 seconds and went up to 40PSI. Is this an issue or something that happens if the car sits for a week. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Assuming you have the correct oil level in the crankcase, and you are using the correct viscosity oil, a twenty second delay to build oil pressure is unusually long. Even if the car sat for a week, the oil filter anti-drain back valve should prevent this from happening.
Try a new oil filter, if the problem persist, you will have to look elsewhere.
Try a new oil filter, if the problem persist, you will have to look elsewhere.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Luling La.
Just went through this very same problem with my Suburban. But a GM rep told me to make sure the oil filter I used had a check valve in it. Of course he recomended a GM filter, but there are other filters out there that have them. The NAPA gold filters have them for sure.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 4
From: TremontonUT UT
There is no valve of any kind in the PF46 filter. There is a by-pass valve in the filter head/adaptor. The purpose of which is to insure oil flow to the engine if the filter is plugged. Some engines like my Duramax have the by-pass valve in the center bottom of the filter where the oil enters. Later! Frank
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
No oil pressure for 20 seconds on a start up?? 
mine started out like this and was inconsistant,, Maybe 5 seconds of no oil pressure.. Dealership replaced the oil pump asseymbly under warranty at 43k miles.. Bearings were checked too, with no damage, thank God. the problem was not the oil pump itself . It was debris(o-ring) causing the pressure relief valve malfunctions that were intermiitent No oil pressure is a no no
All stock-type pumps have a pressure relief valve. This is necessary because cold, thick oil at start-up, or another restriction such as a plugged oil filter, can cause a serious problem.. Debris can also end up in the pressure relief valve, possibly causing pressure to bleed off leading to a low oil pressure situation, perhaps ending up in engine damage
In addition, manufacturers have reported that there appears to be an increase in post rebuild engine failures as a result of the oiling system failing to prime itself. Reports from warranty claims have revealed completely dry oil pumps in some cases... I would be deeply concerned if I were you,however its your car,your money. Just an FYI
mine started out like this and was inconsistant,, Maybe 5 seconds of no oil pressure.. Dealership replaced the oil pump asseymbly under warranty at 43k miles.. Bearings were checked too, with no damage, thank God. the problem was not the oil pump itself . It was debris(o-ring) causing the pressure relief valve malfunctions that were intermiitent No oil pressure is a no no All stock-type pumps have a pressure relief valve. This is necessary because cold, thick oil at start-up, or another restriction such as a plugged oil filter, can cause a serious problem.. Debris can also end up in the pressure relief valve, possibly causing pressure to bleed off leading to a low oil pressure situation, perhaps ending up in engine damageIn addition, manufacturers have reported that there appears to be an increase in post rebuild engine failures as a result of the oiling system failing to prime itself. Reports from warranty claims have revealed completely dry oil pumps in some cases... I would be deeply concerned if I were you,however its your car,your money. Just an FYI
Last edited by David426; Nov 15, 2009 at 09:21 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Sorry, I did not read your post before I posted. You are absolultely correct.. The oil pickup has a screen, however it either gets clogged or smaller debris gets through and colagulates
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
There is no valve of any kind in the PF46 filter. There is a by-pass valve in the filter head/adaptor. The purpose of which is to insure oil flow to the engine if the filter is plugged. Some engines like my Duramax have the by-pass valve in the center bottom of the filter where the oil enters. Later! Frank
http://www.acdelco.com/parts/filters/oil-filters.jsp
Yes, there is a bypass valve in the filter block which allows oil flow to the gallery when the differential pressure in the filter exceeds a certain amount, the service manual does not say what that setting is.
Last edited by ipuig; Nov 15, 2009 at 11:09 AM.
