Oil pressure problems?

**z28punk** · 12-04-2008, 09:57 PM

Today I was driving on the highway and when I got off at the next exit I was sitting at the stoplight and I noticed that my oil pressure guage was only at 25 PSI or so. I freaked and found the nearest shop. I checked the oil and it was maybe a quart low at the most. this isnt a shocker since I have an oil leak coming from the cam sensor.
I fill the oil up to the full line and start it up again. it is still at around 25 psi.
I get home and let it sit until the engine is cold again. I start it up and the pressure is around normal. after driving for a while it starts doing the same thing, but the oil level is fine.

I have no been able to get an oil pressure tester on it yet, but I would like to know if any of you have had similar problems so I can know what to look for.

my car is a 2002 LS1 with around 95k miles on it. it has a bad 3-4 clutch in the transmission, so I have to drive it around in either D or 2. that shouldnt make a difference, but its extra info.

Thank you for any help. I will try and get a pressure tester on the system this weekend.

**mark21742** · 12-05-2008, 01:29 AM

kind of a PITA, but if I were you I'd spring for a new oil pump....just for the piece of mind and to save money on an early rebuild

**JaycenK** · 12-05-2008, 08:51 AM

I have owned 4 F-bodies. 83, 85 ,94 and 97. All different engines and all do the same thing around 100k. loose some oil pressure. my 97 runs like 7-10psi at hot idel now and it scares the living shit out of me. I just changed my sending unit and no change. They all do it and I agree, plan on changing the oil pump.
Question you havn't over reved it have you? Spun bearings are known to cause this problem as well.

**z28punk** · 12-05-2008, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by mark21742

kind of a PITA, but if I were you I'd spring for a new oil pump....just for the piece of mind and to save money on an early rebuild

damnit I was hoping someone would just say the guage is wrong.

I need to get a pressure guage on it asap

**SOMbitch** · 12-05-2008, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by z28punk

damnit I was hoping someone would just say the guage is wrong.

I need to get a pressure guage on it asap

It could be the guage but 25 at hot idle is ok. Could also be the sending unit behind the IM on DS under the cowl. Prolly easiest to pull IM to change it.. You can also get a sending unit socket in the help section of your discount parts house.

Most mechanical guages I have seen tap into the oil filter housing.

**JaycenK** · 12-05-2008, 11:46 AM

LOL yea my 94 I never did anything and it lasted as a Daily Driver from 89K to over 150K whith no ticks or metal shavings. traded it in and dealer gave me 1500 more for it than he should haveLOL.

I don't know about LS motors but gen 1 and 2 small blocks another thing that happens is the pressure sender is on top of the block and oil dosn't cycle through it it just pressurizes a fitting and I have seen oil bake in the fittings and cause a miss read.
also make sure you don't have a leak at the sender.

**hutch1999** · 12-05-2008, 11:56 AM

it happens on high mile engines, does it rise when give it gas or stay at 25psi

**mark21742** · 12-05-2008, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by z28punk

damnit I was hoping someone would just say the guage is wrong.

I need to get a pressure guage on it asap

ok, the gauge is wrong lol sorry man

**z28punk** · 12-05-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by hutch1999

it happens on high mile engines, does it rise when give it gas or stay at 25psi

it rises when I give it gas. at around 3000 RPM's it goes up to around 50 PSI

**jigger1166** · 12-05-2008, 06:12 PM

A spun bearing could cause low oil pressure. Replace the oil filter, cut open the one you take off, cut the element off of the metal, fold-up the element, squeeze the oil out of it, then pull it open, and check for metal. Cross your fingers there isn't any.

**z28punk** · 12-05-2008, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by jigger1166

A spun bearing could cause low oil pressure. Replace the oil filter, cut open the one you take off, cut the element off of the metal, fold-up the element, squeeze the oil out of it, then pull it open, and check for metal. Cross your fingers there isn't any.

will do. I will update by the end of the weekend.

**GatorSS** · 12-06-2008, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by JaycenK

I have owned 4 F-bodies. 83, 85 ,94 and 97. All different engines and all do the same thing around 100k. loose some oil pressure. my 97 runs like 7-10psi at hot idel now and it scares the living shit out of me. I just changed my sending unit and no change. They all do it and I agree, plan on changing the oil pump.
Question you havn't over reved it have you? Spun bearings are known to cause this problem as well.

Ouch! Seems like you're driving on borrowed time.

I have 140k miles on my 2000 SS (all mine, since I bought it new 8.5 years ago....oh, it had 7 miles on it) and the oil pressure is the same now as when new.

**hutch1999** · 12-06-2008, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by z28punk

it rises when I give it gas. at around 3000 RPM's it goes up to around 50 PSI

I would say you will be fine for awhile because you are still in operating range, if were were at 7-10psi like someone stated above you may have problems.

**jigger1166** · 12-06-2008, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by hutch1999

I would say you will be fine for awhile because you are still in operating range, if were were at 7-10psi like someone stated above you may have problems.

He's right, 25 psi is ok, But if it dropped suddenly from a higher number you should check the filter.