Low oil pressure

[TreeFrog]

Okay my stock oil pressure guage reads right on the "L" when idleing, and just a bit above it while running. I have no leaks, just got an oil change. oil light never comes on.

any ideas? probably the oil pump, or sensor. Is this a huge issue? how expensive is replacing the oil pump?

[blk_srt]

Try testing it with a mechanical gauge because the stocker can be inacurate. Also oil pressure is made by the engine bearings not the pump

[TreeFrog]

ummm bearings!!! oh shit!


PS. I did some searching around the great DSM talk forum. seems most people just ignore the stocker gauge. but the oil light is accurate and if it comes on, pull the over the car, turn it off and push.

others have mentioned the bearings, oil pressure sensor/sender unit thingy, and the oil pump. you're right best thing to do is get it tested with a real gauge. if it reads fine, then ignore the gauge.

[blk_srt]

correct

[MexRocket]

bah oil pressure gauges =P
I should probably get that, my c2 boost gauge is blinding.

[gthompson97]

You probably should get that checked out before you drive the car much more. If it is a problem and you catch it before it ruins anything, you could save yourself a rebuild. Replace the oil pump is just one step more than doing a timing belt job. You have to pull off all the same stuff, but then you also have to remove the oil pump too and install a new one. Then put in a new front oil seal, then just continue the rest of the timing belt job. Don't quote my exact words though, that's just a quick overview.

[blk_srt]

I dont think its the oil pump though considering that doesnt create the actual oil pressure just volume.

[gthompson97]

But if it's not flowing enough volume, you'll get low pressure.

EDIT: I'll explain myself a little better. To get pressure, you have to be flowing more than enough volume than what is needed to create any certain pressure at a given spot. It's like trying to pump 50 gallons of water through a hose. If you want to pump a volume of 10 gallons/min, you'll have more pressure than if it's only pumping at volume 5 gallons/min. Therefore, if the pump normally pumps so much oil at a given rate, then you will have normal oil pressure. But if the pump can't flow the amount needed, then it won't create the pressure needed either. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.

[blk_srt]

That is true I've seen more bearing failure than low volume causing low pressure though.

[gthompson97]

I know but if the pressure is way lower than normal, than something isn't right. He needs to hook up a real gauge like you said.

[blk_srt]

I have a feeling its just a bad sender. My stock gauge reads 0 all the time, some times it scares me a little untill I relize I unhooked it to hook up my autometer

[Thor06]

Mine is broken too. POS stock guages. Eventually I would like to replace everything with autometer stuff. I probably wont though, thats like $800 is guages I can put into a stroker or something.

[TreeFrog]

well i've been told i can be at 12psi on idle and still fine under the shop manual. and that if it was too low i'd get a light. and basicly i have no issue. does this sound correct?

[gthompson97]

As long as you're not getting a light you should be fine. But you should probably hook it up to a gauge to at least see what you're actually running.

[blk_srt]

the spec is 11psi at idle but you should verify it