unrthdxdream

Ok, 2000 FRC with 95,000 mi. In stop and go traffic today my oil pressure was dropping to 22psi at idle. Water temp: 230. Oil temp: 240. Ambient: 95.

Is this normal?

Bearing wear?
Try going to 5w40 oil?
New oil pump?

Oil pressure still climbs like normal. What is it supposed to be? 10 psi per 1000rpm? I hit 60-70 when shifting at 5-6000.

Any input would be great.

2003Evo

That seems too low, i wonder if your sensor is on its way out. Whats the cold start psi?

danieloneil01

This

neutron82

seems a little low to me personally but I think it is acceptable... your coolant/oil temps are fairly high, the hotter that gets the lower the pressure will be... see what it is on cold startup and you might consider having your fan settings changed to help keep the temps lower... have you ever changed the coolant?... also check for debris in the radiator/condenser fins

unrthdxdream

Cold start is between 40-45. Until it warms up, just driving around under 3000rpm I get upto 60-65psi. The oil pressure has great response to throttle change... It just dips real low when I get stuck in stop and go traffic like that.

I still need to get it tuned.

I looked between the ac condenser and radiator the other day when I was swapping clear corners. Free of debris. I blew it out with my compressor for good measure.

I was thinking of flushing the coolant. Anyone had good luck with water wetter or purple ice?

unrthdxdream

I am also wonder about the pressure sensor... When I was watching it yesterday, it didn't go up or down in order.. Like at idle it would skip between 24 and 22 but never show 23.

pewter99

coming from a guy who watched is drop to 20 at temp and then 18....16...etc...until it was all over I would seriously consider a new oil pump

warlock007

Agree with Pewter99,

I personally got concerned when it dropped to 33 when i always saw 39-41 at temp. I replaced oil pump and found o-ring on oil tube bad. could be other issues as well like oil by-pass somewhere.

I ended up replacing all my crank/rod bearings, of coarse i had 130000 on the clock and I was chasing an annoying knock, glad I did though as some where at max tolerance and a couple were out with 2 rods not being torqued and the others torqued to different numbers.

Im in south FL now and never see it go below 38 at higher temps (210-220) in the traffic, especially the stop light traffic here. I have a 160 stat and fans programed with it tuned.

230 seems high, make sure you dont have an air pocket and your rad cap if working correctly, verify your coolant level as well.

unrthdxdream

How can I check for an air pocket?

warlock007

I would open cap run the car to full temp also put heater to full hot and speed high then let cool.

I would think though that if you've done nothing with the coolant system recently it is more likely your rad cap.

They make an upgraded cap thats stock replacement for it at 18psi now. got mine at rock auto. had no clue it was weak until i replaced it.

unrthdxdream

The radiator cap is designed to hold pressure up to 18 psi and then release to atmosphere? If my cap is failing it is no longer holding the system under pressure and thus not cooling properly? Just want to verify my understanding.

warlock007

correct but the stock cap i think is 15psi(can't remember) the new one is 18psi.

pewter99

may wanna look at a new radiator and fans....go with the dewitts and spal fans....no more high temps

wife saw high temps in her 02 the other day and she has new fans and new radiator (stock) probably should have added the spal kit to hers

LoneStarFRC

Most, if not all, C5s originally came with 15 lb caps, but GM made the change to 18 lb for all Corvettes a number of years ago.

Chicago1

Did not know this.... to lazy to search but I assume 05+ all fit on ours? Mine is need for a change anyways