oil pressure question

**b.lee** · 07-07-2007, 09:22 AM

I went to look at a 98 trans am ls1 auto 96k miles today
It was warm and when idling only had 20 psi oil pressure on the gauge. (stock of course)

It got a 40 psi pretty easily.
I didnt really get on it either.
He said he was running some synthetic oil in it also.

Do those sound like decent readings?
Would thin oil cause this?

**b.lee** · 07-07-2007, 11:18 AM

If you get on the throttle a little, it will go over 40 psi.
It has 40 psi normal driving.
Let off the gas completely and it drops to 20 psi.

normal? common problem? thin oil?
oil is not low, and its nice and clean.

**blackls1ta** · 07-07-2007, 06:25 PM

my 00 ta idles at around 40 psi and under normal driving conditions about 60,im not sure why yours is lower id get oil pump checked out,i run mobil 1 synthetic 10 w 30 but gonna switch to lucas full synthetic

**Redphoenix1998** · 07-07-2007, 06:57 PM

my 98 is at 20 at idle. It is a prob. Either the oil pump is shot or the o ring is giving. 20 psi is too low for our cars to be honest. You should be seeing around 40 psi

**SStriker** · 07-07-2007, 07:25 PM

Mine gets pretty low but according to the book its safe. I think alot of it has to do with the gauges. They probly dont read that well.

**joejenkinsglass** · 07-07-2007, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by SStriker

Mine gets pretty low but according to the book its safe. I think alot of it has to do with the gauges. They probly dont read that well.

yeah the guages are basically reference ony

**9T8W66** · 07-08-2007, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by SStriker

Mine gets pretty low but according to the book its safe. I think alot of it has to do with the gauges. They probly dont read that well.

I agree aswell My `98 has 116K on it and mine idles around 25-30psi but instantly goes up when on the throttle.

**shady milkman** · 07-08-2007, 08:24 AM

usually when you are that low it means the oil pump is going. my 98 47k runs 40-50 all the time.

**SStriker** · 07-08-2007, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by shady milkman

usually when you are that low it means the oil pump is going. my 98 47k runs 40-50 all the time.

Yeah im hoping for the best lol

**TX_WS6_02** · 07-08-2007, 09:41 AM

I always thought mine ran a lil high. 50-70. When it is cold it will creep past 70. I always let my car run til the temp gauge starts moving up before I drive it, but when it is still cool and I am going through the gears...it creeps past 70. When It is completely warmed up, at 60 mph on cruis control the psi is just under 60. Mine is 2002 WS6, M6, stock, 93 octane. If y'all wouldn't mind...try cruisin at 60 mph after the engine is warmed up, and post your psi...I'm just curious

**Stricken1** · 07-08-2007, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by TX_WS6_02

I always thought mine ran a lil high. 50-70. When it is cold it will creep past 70. I always let my car run til the temp gauge starts moving up before I drive it, but when it is still cool and I am going through the gears...it creeps past 70. When It is completely warmed up, at 60 mph on cruis control the psi is just under 60. Mine is 2002 WS6, M6, stock, 93 octane. If y'all wouldn't mind...try cruisin at 60 mph after the engine is warmed up, and post your psi...I'm just curious

Mine is the same as yours...I switched to pen plat 10w30 and the oil pressure increased vs the M1 I use to run.

**TX_WS6_02** · 07-08-2007, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Stricken1

Mine is the same as yours...I switched to pen plat 10w30 and the oil pressure increased vs the M1 I use to run.

I just switched to Pen plat 5W30, and it is just the same as the Valvoline Syn...My car runs like a champ(minus the ls1 knock). The only think that worries me is when it creeps passed the 70ps1 mark when I get on it.

**2K2 HAWK** · 07-08-2007, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by SStriker

Mine gets pretty low but according to the book its safe. I think alot of it has to do with the gauges. They probly dont read that well.

+1

I would confirm the guage reading before addressing the oil pump. It could just be the sending unit.

**ultra_badass** · 07-08-2007, 03:26 PM

my 2000 with 500 on it idles a lil about 40 and will hit past 60 with no prob when i get on it but 20 does seem just way to low

**bigboy T/A** · 07-09-2007, 08:43 AM

? is it bad if when engine is cold my oil pressure is around 76psi. it worries the crap out of me but when in normal temperature it reads between 40-50psi

**2000T/A Guru** · 07-09-2007, 09:00 AM

slightly over 40 when warm and idle

**TX_WS6_02** · 07-09-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by 2000T/A Guru

slightly over 40 when warm and idle

What kinda of readings do you get when you drive it before it warms up to around 200 degress?

**b.lee** · 07-09-2007, 11:03 AM

I dont want to buy a car to fix it, thats for sure.

On another note, I've always heard since i was 14 to never use pennzoil oil.
No matter what kind it is.
Its dirty, nasty, and basically the worst oil on the planet.

I'd use valvoline, quaker state, walmart brand, before I used pennzoil.

*back on topic

Is there any way to tell if the sending unit or the oil pump is bad?
Or any way to tell if its an engine problem?

**shady milkman** · 07-09-2007, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by b.lee

I dont want to buy a car to fix it, thats for sure.

On another note, I've always heard since i was 14 to never use pennzoil oil.
No matter what kind it is.
Its dirty, nasty, and basically the worst oil on the planet.

I'd use valvoline, quaker state, walmart brand, before I used pennzoil.

*back on topic

Is there any way to tell if the sending unit or the oil pump is bad?
Or any way to tell if its an engine problem?

i believe voltage has something to do with it. take it to a dealer and ask/see if they will do it.

98T/Aformula · 07-09-2007, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by b.lee

I dont want to buy a car to fix it, thats for sure.

On another note, I've always heard since i was 14 to never use pennzoil oil.
No matter what kind it is.
Its dirty, nasty, and basically the worst oil on the planet.

I'd use valvoline, quaker state, walmart brand, before I used pennzoil.

*back on topic

Is there any way to tell if the sending unit or the oil pump is bad?
Or any way to tell if its an engine problem?

When I was looking for my car I came acrost a really nice Z, it was perfect ! then I got i the driver set and the oil pressure was between 15 and 20...I let that one go and waited for the right one to come along, and im very glad I did...