[Z06] 22 psi Oil Pressure At Idle, Normal?
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Miami Fl
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
22 psi Oil Pressure At Idle, Normal?
I don't remember what the oil pressure at idle was when my car was stock, right now its about 22 to 24 psi. The manual says 20 to 80 is normal, isn't that a very wide, perhaps too wide, of a range?
The manual also says depending on outside temps and conditions a reading of 6 psi might be considered normal.
What pressure do you have at idle?
Update - Post number 9:
I took some reading today on my way to work;
At start up the oil pressure shoots up to 70 psi - Oil temp 68*
Idle while cold - oil pressure is 35 to 40 psi. Oil Temp 100 to 120*
Once the oil is hot - 180* to 190* is when it goes to 22 to 24 psi at idle, it goes to 50 psi at 2K rpm and 60K at 3K rpm.
The manual also says depending on outside temps and conditions a reading of 6 psi might be considered normal.
What pressure do you have at idle?
Update - Post number 9:
I took some reading today on my way to work;
At start up the oil pressure shoots up to 70 psi - Oil temp 68*
Idle while cold - oil pressure is 35 to 40 psi. Oil Temp 100 to 120*
Once the oil is hot - 180* to 190* is when it goes to 22 to 24 psi at idle, it goes to 50 psi at 2K rpm and 60K at 3K rpm.
Last edited by Pio; 03-12-2007 at 12:55 PM. Reason: update from post #9
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Fallston Maryland
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Give us some more data. Outside temps, oil temps water temps.
At idle at normal operating temps, mine is 30-35 psi.
When very hot (275) oil temp @ idle I see 18-20. That is after a track session.
When cold or cold start up I see 70-75.
At idle at normal operating temps, mine is 30-35 psi.
When very hot (275) oil temp @ idle I see 18-20. That is after a track session.
When cold or cold start up I see 70-75.
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Miami Fl
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks For The Help
Oil temp 200+
Coolant - 190
When the car is cold it's around 40 to 50 psi.
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Fallston Maryland
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You may want to have it looked at and documented.
#8
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Weston Florida
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The dry sump, for all it's advantages, makes me a little uneasy - if the circulating pump fails - ouch. As I recall, of the relatively few LS7 failures reported on CF, a couple have been due to a precipitous drop in oil pressure.
#9
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Miami Fl
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update
I took some reading today on my way to work;
At start up the oil pressure shoots up to 70 psi - Oil temp 68*
Idle while cold - oil pressure is 35 to 40 psi. Oil Temp 100 to 120*
Once the oil is hot - 180* to 190* is when it goes to 22 to 24 psi at idle, it goes to 50 psi at 2K rpm and 60K at 3K rpm.
Let me know what you think...
At start up the oil pressure shoots up to 70 psi - Oil temp 68*
Idle while cold - oil pressure is 35 to 40 psi. Oil Temp 100 to 120*
Once the oil is hot - 180* to 190* is when it goes to 22 to 24 psi at idle, it goes to 50 psi at 2K rpm and 60K at 3K rpm.
Let me know what you think...
#11
Melting Slicks
Believe it or not but GM has always stated that 10-12 psi at idle is acceptable! Not something I like that's for sure. I think they also have a rating of how much pressure per 1000 rpms and its around 3-5 psi.
My Z is usually idling at 35-45 hot and goes up to 70-80 at peak power levels. I know there have been some reported loss of OP but the oiling systems in these motors is pretty good. As long as it rises at a decent rate you should be good. Like someone stated above; get it documentated at the dealer just in case!
Howard
My Z is usually idling at 35-45 hot and goes up to 70-80 at peak power levels. I know there have been some reported loss of OP but the oiling systems in these motors is pretty good. As long as it rises at a decent rate you should be good. Like someone stated above; get it documentated at the dealer just in case!
Howard
#13
Le Mans Master
#14
Safety Car
Hot oil is thinner = less pressure. Old oil is also thinner.
You see a lot of variation, some of which I'll bet is caused by the varying quality and age in everyone's engines Some believe in frequent changes, I'll bet those would show a little higher pressure just due to being fresher oil.
I wouldn't worry about 22. If you see 5, call a tow truck.
You see a lot of variation, some of which I'll bet is caused by the varying quality and age in everyone's engines Some believe in frequent changes, I'll bet those would show a little higher pressure just due to being fresher oil.
I wouldn't worry about 22. If you see 5, call a tow truck.
#17
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Miami Fl
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#18
I was watching mine today with the oil temp between 195-205 (stop and go traffic), and it was pretty consistent at 39 PSI at idle. At 4K RPMs it was 75 PSI. The engine has 10K miles.
Of course, it's a "Larry Woodcock" engine.....................
#19
Intermediate
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: California
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I took a drive through the wine country last weekend. Ambient temps in low 70s. Traffic through Santa Rosa was backed up, and oil temp went over 200 and pressure when at idle dropped to 22psi. That's on an engine with less than 750 miles. Oil pressure and temps seem normal.
#20
I neglected to mention previously that there's not much to be alarmed about here. At higher oil temps with the thinner oil that goes with that territory, it takes less pressure to push the oil to where it needs to go.
As a previous poster said 10 PSI per 1K RPMs should be more than adequate. I doubt you'll see even that low at idle in a LS7, unless something is wrong.
As a previous poster said 10 PSI per 1K RPMs should be more than adequate. I doubt you'll see even that low at idle in a LS7, unless something is wrong.