low oil pressure?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
low oil pressure?
What oil pressure should I be seeing at the gauge normally? after all these years of ownership I'm not even sure. I usually see the gauge at 40+psi (ported LS6 pump) but I guess I've always looked while rpms were up or the oil was cold. I can't believe in 5 years I've never looked at the gauge when at idle with warm oil, but I noticed it today well below mid point. I let it idle for a minute and it settled on 12 psi, which is the lowest by far I've ever seen it indicate. is that normal and I've never noticed? or should I get it looked at?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I also, have a ported Ls6 oil pump and my idle pressure is 24 at full temp with mobil1 5w-30
Also, check the oil temp. The hotter and thinner the oil the lower the pressure will read. As a general rule you need 10 psi of oil pressure for every 1000 rpm of engine speed.
Also, check the oil temp. The hotter and thinner the oil the lower the pressure will read. As a general rule you need 10 psi of oil pressure for every 1000 rpm of engine speed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I'm running mobil 1 5w30 as well, and a Mobil 1 filter.
I thought about the temperature but didn't get a look at it. I've heard that 6psi is the bare minimum for an LS1, and the gauge is still indicating a few ticks above the red area. I guess as a first thing to try I'll plan on getting the oil changed this weekend or tonight, get a new filter on it and see what happens. Maybe the filter is being blocked by something.
When I start driving the pressure comes up right away, and I know that a bad sensor shows too high not too low. I'll certainly keep an eye on it. but I wonder if this situation warrants taking it home and parking it until I figure this out or if its safe to drive if I keep a close eye on the pressure. I didn't notice it being below normal while driving, but I wasn't really watching either. I usually see 40-50 at 1500-2000rpm or so while driving around town. I'll also have to watch for that and see if there's any difference there.
I thought about the temperature but didn't get a look at it. I've heard that 6psi is the bare minimum for an LS1, and the gauge is still indicating a few ticks above the red area. I guess as a first thing to try I'll plan on getting the oil changed this weekend or tonight, get a new filter on it and see what happens. Maybe the filter is being blocked by something.
When I start driving the pressure comes up right away, and I know that a bad sensor shows too high not too low. I'll certainly keep an eye on it. but I wonder if this situation warrants taking it home and parking it until I figure this out or if its safe to drive if I keep a close eye on the pressure. I didn't notice it being below normal while driving, but I wasn't really watching either. I usually see 40-50 at 1500-2000rpm or so while driving around town. I'll also have to watch for that and see if there's any difference there.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
You can have the dealer do a mechanical oil pressure test which will confirm things. I saw 12psi on my very high mileage car this summer in boiling heat, idle but normally at idle its running about 19psi...again this is with 325k miles.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I have 120k on mine, and it was about 50 degrees this morning when I noticed. All things making me wonder...the oil pump was put in...probably 3-4 years ago. I'd say closer to 3. coolant temps were normal for a cool day, I think it was around 180-190. oil temp is usually warmer than coolant, but I doubt it was abnormally warm. oil temp is one of my normal DIC selections, and I usually see 205-225 but that is observation over the summer which was pretty hot for this area. its probably on the lower end of that range or a bit cooler in this weather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
When i did my hds/cam mod I replaced the oil pump with an LS6 pump-
It runs on a hot day at idle below 20 psi and sometimes around 15--
12 would make me worry a bit but GM says 7 is the minimum----I switched to using only K&N or Mobil 1 filters and it seemed to help--
It runs on a hot day at idle below 20 psi and sometimes around 15--
12 would make me worry a bit but GM says 7 is the minimum----I switched to using only K&N or Mobil 1 filters and it seemed to help--
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
sure looks like there is at least some cause for concern here...I hope there's some simple explanation!
I'm running a mobil1 filter, pretty much all I use and have been using for a while. before that I used K&N.
I'm going to check the level here shortly, and for good measure I'm going to go ahead and get the oil changed. a new filter certainly wouldn't hurt.
I'm running a mobil1 filter, pretty much all I use and have been using for a while. before that I used K&N.
I'm going to check the level here shortly, and for good measure I'm going to go ahead and get the oil changed. a new filter certainly wouldn't hurt.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
it would be nice if it was just a bad sender...
I took it out for lunch, 10 minutes of driving, 40 minutes stopped then 10 more back to work. oil temp was just under 200, at idle it came down to 18psi when I let it sit for a couple minutes.
driving it would give me about 30-35psi at 1900-2000rpm, and 28-30 or so at 1500.
still just seems lower than I thought it was before, but should be well within the norms right? maybe the 12 early this morning was just a fluke for some reason? I'm going to get new oil and filter on it anyway, oil is the cheapest insurance that your car can get! maybe this is always the way it is and I've just not noticed so closely before.
just asking the experts, I'll be keeping an eye on this more closely of course, but it doesn't look like I shouldn't be driving it right?
I took it out for lunch, 10 minutes of driving, 40 minutes stopped then 10 more back to work. oil temp was just under 200, at idle it came down to 18psi when I let it sit for a couple minutes.
driving it would give me about 30-35psi at 1900-2000rpm, and 28-30 or so at 1500.
still just seems lower than I thought it was before, but should be well within the norms right? maybe the 12 early this morning was just a fluke for some reason? I'm going to get new oil and filter on it anyway, oil is the cheapest insurance that your car can get! maybe this is always the way it is and I've just not noticed so closely before.
just asking the experts, I'll be keeping an eye on this more closely of course, but it doesn't look like I shouldn't be driving it right?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
32 PSI is the lowest I have seen, and thats fully warmed up, idle, A/C on, on a 100+ degree day. Coolant and oil temps were ~220F.
Stock 2002 LS1 engine, 103k miles, factory fill Mobil 1 and OEM filter. I recently replaced my oil pressure sensor and the values have not changed appreciably.
Stock 2002 LS1 engine, 103k miles, factory fill Mobil 1 and OEM filter. I recently replaced my oil pressure sensor and the values have not changed appreciably.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
The viscosity at operating temperature for the 5W-30 is higher than the 10W-30 (11.0 cSt vs 10.1 cSt), switching to 10W-30 to increase oil pressure is pointless.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/..._1_10W-30.aspx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
typically when the sensor fail they get stuck at max oil pressure---I doubt it's the sender--But you could have a shop fabricate a temporary oil pressure gauge to see if th egauge is off---
Most important --is the WOT oil pressure--as mentioned 10 psi for every 1000 RPM--so make sure you have at least 50 PSI at WOT or 5000 RPM--
when at idle and the pressure is low---is the valetrain noisier
Most important --is the WOT oil pressure--as mentioned 10 psi for every 1000 RPM--so make sure you have at least 50 PSI at WOT or 5000 RPM--
when at idle and the pressure is low---is the valetrain noisier
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Well right after this post the problem seemed to.vanish. then this midnight its back. Started the car showing 20 while it was cold. By the time.it was warm and idling it showed 10 on the dic. Yesterday it was showoff 10-15psi higher at any rpm/temp. What could cause his except a bad pressure sender that decided to fail in not the typical way?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I haven't changed it yet but will his morning. The problem lasted exactly one driving cycle. On the way back home this midnight everything was fine. Oil was even a little warm since the car was only off for an hour, started it up and it showed 40 and didn't settle much below 35. I have seen the sensor taken apart before, I know there's an ic chip in there. Hopefully its gone bad and a restart is able to temporarily fix it. A bad sensor would probably be the best case.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Well the oil and filter change didn't do the trick. still showing low this morning.
I started it up this morning to head to work, gauge went straight to 50 and held there. by the time I was out of the driveway I looked back and it said 20. the oil was still cold though all this of course. only explanation I can come up with is its got to be the sensor. strange that when its "bad" its usually about 20 psi lower (give or take) from what I expect when its not showing low. if the sensor doesn't fix it then I'll get more concerned and take it in somewhere. but there's no blockage in the filter, its brand new. if there was a blockage elsewhere or the pump were failing I don't see why it would keep being ok, then showing low, then being ok again. if I can find one on the shelf I'll try the sensor this evening. given the symptoms it really doesn't look like the pressure can be doing that, its got to be the sensor. of course I'm no mechanic, so if anyone thinks differently please let me know! I'm still driving it but keeping a very close eye on the gauge.
I started it up this morning to head to work, gauge went straight to 50 and held there. by the time I was out of the driveway I looked back and it said 20. the oil was still cold though all this of course. only explanation I can come up with is its got to be the sensor. strange that when its "bad" its usually about 20 psi lower (give or take) from what I expect when its not showing low. if the sensor doesn't fix it then I'll get more concerned and take it in somewhere. but there's no blockage in the filter, its brand new. if there was a blockage elsewhere or the pump were failing I don't see why it would keep being ok, then showing low, then being ok again. if I can find one on the shelf I'll try the sensor this evening. given the symptoms it really doesn't look like the pressure can be doing that, its got to be the sensor. of course I'm no mechanic, so if anyone thinks differently please let me know! I'm still driving it but keeping a very close eye on the gauge.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
And the answer is....most likely. bad oil pressure sensor. Blue y2k seems to be correct.
it wasn't my first time so I pulled the intake and replaced the sensor. the old oil pressure sensor was full of oil. turned it over and oil poured out of the connector. that's the way they usually fail, so that's a pretty good bet. got it all back together and started her up for a few minutes, 39psi. I won't know for sure until I drive it, but considering the oil in the old sender, that's probably the culprit.
I really need to plan ahead and get the stuff to do the relocation next time, second time I've pulled the intake in order to do this.
the last couple of days made me think sensor more and more, I'd start the car and it would go to 40 or so, then within a couple seconds it would fall to mid teens-20's. no way the pressure is actually doing that. this evening when I parked it the pressure was reading 8 at idle. glad it was the sensor and not something worse!
it wasn't my first time so I pulled the intake and replaced the sensor. the old oil pressure sensor was full of oil. turned it over and oil poured out of the connector. that's the way they usually fail, so that's a pretty good bet. got it all back together and started her up for a few minutes, 39psi. I won't know for sure until I drive it, but considering the oil in the old sender, that's probably the culprit.
I really need to plan ahead and get the stuff to do the relocation next time, second time I've pulled the intake in order to do this.
the last couple of days made me think sensor more and more, I'd start the car and it would go to 40 or so, then within a couple seconds it would fall to mid teens-20's. no way the pressure is actually doing that. this evening when I parked it the pressure was reading 8 at idle. glad it was the sensor and not something worse!
