Inconsistent oil pressure 98 Silverado

[shawn76]

Hello, I have a 5.7L 98 Silverado with about 98K miles. The oil pressure gauge has been dipping down to about 32 whevener idling. It starts up at 50 and runs at about 42 once it's warm. Also I have been hearing the little ticking sound like it needs oil, while ildling, but I got the oil exactly at the top of the operating range on the dipstick.

Is the fluctuating oil pressure a cause for concern? I had it checked for other stuff lately and they didn't say anything about it, and said everything looks good to them except maybe some new spark plugs and wires.

The other problem is that the power steering goes out, most often, when in reverse and turning the wheel hard especially whenever backing up a trailer. It does it without the trailer sometimes too. I replaced a low pressure power steering hose and it fixed the leak, but it still gets hard and stiff sometimes at the worst possible times. The mechanic I took it to said there wasn't nothing he could find wrong with it, and he double checked it. He said all he could do is hook it up the computer tester and charge me alteast $75 for the hook up. Then as soon as I get back to the house the steering tightens up again.


I just realized that I have always used QuakerState SAE30, but they didn't have a case of it this time so I just got the QS 10w-30. Could this be the problem? If this is a problem. Thanks in advance for your help.

[broughy84]

you use straight 30w in your truck?!?!?!?!?!

10w30 would not cause this problem, as a matter of fact you should have 5w30 in her. 32psi is not bad at all. My 88 has a warm idle pressure of 5psi. my 96 has a warm idle pressure of 20psi. Don't worry about that pressure.

[shawn76]

Yea, the person I got the truck from said he always used QS straight 30. I live along the Gulf Coast and I can't remeber the last time it got below 25 degrees F. Is this a bad idea? Is straight 30 thicker than 10w-30?

[JaVeRo]

The construction company I work for uses straight 30w in their Chevy trucks and change the oil every 3000 miles. They consistently get 300,000+ miles out of them with the original motor. If you make a lot of short trips from a cold start you may be better off with the 10w30.

I wouldn't worry about the 32 psi, but that's just my opinion.

James

[broughy84]

I guess if it doesn't get cold where you are at It does not matter that much. If that is what you normally use then stick with it. Although it doesn't hurt anything to switch weights of motor oil.