Oil Pressure Question

nnunez · 01-17-2007, 10:54 AM

The other day I noticed (at a light) that my oil pressure was around 20 psi. I believe that it normally stayed at around 35-40 psi (vertical on the gage).

The weather changed somewhat here (freezing) and I wondered if that had any effect?

When I give it gas, the gage goes up in pressure reading......an it should normally.

COULD THE OIL PUMP BE GOING OUT?

mrjohnwayne · 01-17-2007, 11:34 AM

the weather is more than likely the culprit. Depending on what weight oil you are running if it got down to freezing its probably the oil just thickening up.

03chevy · 01-17-2007, 12:54 PM

i second mrjohnwayne

chevyguy · 01-20-2007, 11:11 PM

Wait, thicker oil means more oil pressure. It should shower higher pressure when its colder.

Hayden · 01-21-2007, 09:37 AM

Does the pressure change after your truck has been running for a while (warmed up)? You said you noticed this at a light so how long were you driving it before you noticed this

nate3436 · 01-21-2007, 08:04 PM

Every Chevy I've ever owned always runs around 15-20 at idle and 30-40 at normal operating range so I really don't have a problem with that. If it goes lower you may be a little low on oil though.

pit_boss · 01-22-2007, 06:37 AM

engine builders rule of thumb-10 lbs. of oil pressure for every 1000 rpms to the maximum relief pressure on the oil pump.

nnunez · 01-26-2007, 11:07 AM

even after warm up, at stop, the gage goes to about 20. i just dont remember it being that low during the summer.

Donut John · 02-10-2007, 09:54 AM

Oil pressure! My 88 Chevy had 40 lb.s oil pressure at start up and about 5 by the time I got to work or got home. Finally it went to zero and I had it towed into a garage for fear of blowing the engine. The oil pressure sending unit failed. It was well cooked after 16 years. I replaced the sending unit and the oil pressure now hits 50 lb.s. You don't say what year your Chevy is but the 88's have this problem. You might want to get the exact part from Chevrolet. My GM original was smaller than the NAPA replacement part and had a heat shield on it.

01-17-2007, 10:54 AM	#1
nnunez Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 307	Oil Pressure Question The other day I noticed (at a light) that my oil pressure was around 20 psi. I believe that it normally stayed at around 35-40 psi (vertical on the gage). The weather changed somewhat here (freezing) and I wondered if that had any effect? When I give it gas, the gage goes up in pressure reading......an it should normally. COULD THE OIL PUMP BE GOING OUT?

01-17-2007, 11:34 AM	#2
mrjohnwayne Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,789	the weather is more than likely the culprit. Depending on what weight oil you are running if it got down to freezing its probably the oil just thickening up. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

01-20-2007, 11:11 PM	#4
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,555	Wait, thicker oil means more oil pressure. It should shower higher pressure when its colder. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, Basically useless, But fun to watch when you push them down the stairs.

01-21-2007, 09:37 AM	#5
Hayden Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bay City,Michigan Posts: 387	Does the pressure change after your truck has been running for a while (warmed up)? You said you noticed this at a light so how long were you driving it before you noticed this __________________ There Is No Replacement For Displacement

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01-17-2007, 12:54 PM	#3
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 1,196	i second mrjohnwayne

01-21-2007, 08:04 PM	#6
nate3436 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southeast Iowa Posts: 51	Every Chevy I've ever owned always runs around 15-20 at idle and 30-40 at normal operating range so I really don't have a problem with that. If it goes lower you may be a little low on oil though.

01-22-2007, 06:37 AM	#7
pit_boss Full Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hartland,Minnesota Posts: 25	engine builders rule of thumb-10 lbs. of oil pressure for every 1000 rpms to the maximum relief pressure on the oil pump.

01-26-2007, 11:07 AM	#8
nnunez Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 307	even after warm up, at stop, the gage goes to about 20. i just dont remember it being that low during the summer.

02-10-2007, 09:54 AM	#9
Donut John Full Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 18	Oil pressure! My 88 Chevy had 40 lb.s oil pressure at start up and about 5 by the time I got to work or got home. Finally it went to zero and I had it towed into a garage for fear of blowing the engine. The oil pressure sending unit failed. It was well cooked after 16 years. I replaced the sending unit and the oil pressure now hits 50 lb.s. You don't say what year your Chevy is but the 88's have this problem. You might want to get the exact part from Chevrolet. My GM original was smaller than the NAPA replacement part and had a heat shield on it.

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