Oil pressure guage

[blue4X4]

My oil pressure guage I just noticed at Idle is at around 15-20, seems too low to me. When driving it, it jumps up to about 40 mostly but I have seen it up to 55/60 also. I am hoping I am not losing my oil pump right now. Could it just be a little low on oil? Along with this I am still having hard cold starts, it doesnt stay running until I have started it 5-10 times, then it runs normally. This on a 1994 K1500. Any ideas.

I love Chevys and I like the 350(5.7) but I hate these newer age TBI's and Fuel Injection and all the computerized garbage that makes them impossible to diagnose without an $80 mechanic bill that still does not pinpoint a problem but is just a map of possabilities. I am so close to yanking this motor and all the computer junk and rebuilding it, adding a Holley carb and a mechanical fuel pump like the good ol days.

[Austin8214]

I would hook up a mechanical gauge to check the oil pressure out. The gauge in your dash is not trustworthy. as far as your cold start trouble I would look at either your IAC or EGR in that order.

[benw]

I have a 94 c1500 and my oil pressure gauge is wacked! sometimes it reads high when I am low on oil and it flucuates from 15 to 60 psi in two seconds. So basicly dont trust your gauge but check your oil and pump. (my gauge has been like this for about 2000 miles and no pupm problems yet)

[mbumgua]

If your guage is whacked out it is the sending unit-replace it and you will have a normal gauge again.

[Repo_agent]

replace the sending unit. very simple and cheap. You may still find though that you have 15-20psi while idling. For a chevy 350 with over 80k I would be happy with that psi at idling. It would be plenty.

I have also seen certain oil filters change psi.

[Repo_agent]

How cold is it and how long does the truck sit before starting? Any cold start knocking?

Before you answer I will say I had the same problem with a rebuilt camaro 305 tbi and I put an oil heater on it. HELPED IT A LOT but it didnt fix the problem. I left the car with my X. Im going to laugh when it gets cold again.

[goinbig]

that pressure sounds good to me. Search around a little. You'll find most run around that amount

[blue4X4]

Thanks for all the good information!
I will probably replace the sending unit soon, but it sounds like what I got is pretty normal. 40 seems to be what its at mostly. I just changed oil and filter and levels are good. So, I have a feeling its nothing. I mean when it drops or jumps up, it all runs the same. If it dropped then shut off then I should be worried.

My cold start problem is still there even after the dealer charged me $500.00 for a new ECM and cap and rotor and fuel filter. I take it back tomorrow. I told him and I still think it is the fuel pump. Well see.

I got news for the dealer, I am not paying for $500.00 in work that changed nothing, that just tells me he put on a bunch of expensive parts I didnt need. Sometimes I wonder about these mechanics. He said he wanted to change the cap and rotor because that is probably what made the ECM go bad-I dont buy that story at all!

[wally91vhevrolet]

i wouldnt take it to a dealer they rip you off in a heartbeat, and ECM's rarely ever go bad, my oil pressure gauge also reads the same, but its only that low after it warms up, holds oil and runs good so im not worried about it