My oil pressure drops when my car is in idle. Does that mean that I need an oil pump. When I step on the gas, it goes up but not all the way. 1990 GMC Suburban
2007-03-27 08:32:55 · 5 answers · asked by luciano_thegr8 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There are several things to consider:
1) The gauge is electrical, and the sender may be on the weak side, or the supply voltage may be a bit low, so the full pressure may not be accurate.
2) You may have added or used the wrong oil (too light a viscosity)
3) There may be a great deal of engine wear in the bearings, specifically the main crank bearings and the cam bearings.
As ling as the "Check Gauges" light doesn't come on, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
If there are high miles, I would certainly consider a HIGH MILEAGE motor oil blend, but stay with the recommended weight. If there are VERY HIGH MILES, then maybe consider something like 20 - 50 SAE.
2007-03-27 08:54:16 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nope it means your engine is getting worn out.I'm sure if has a ton of miles on it correct??Your bearings are getting worn out causing a pressure loss.This is very common but you'll probably still get alot more miles out of that engine.I had an old Gm 350 that only kept 5psi of oil pressure an idle and only gave 15psi at normal speeds and it ran another 10k miles for me before i replaced the whole engine with another one.I wouldnt worry about it.Your engine will be fine,this is common when you have lots of miles on it.
2007-03-27 15:40:22 · answer #2 · answered by lift&shift 101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the amount of wear on your engine, it's pretty much normal.
As the crank bearings, rod bearings, lifters, rocker arms, camshaft bearings,etc. wear they all create a slightly larger space between them and the mating surface. That allows oil to more easily pass between them causing less back pressure in the oil system.
When the engine speed increases, the oil pump delivers higher volume of oil to make up for the wear in the engine.
Unless you start to hear you lifters starting to "tap" at idle, I wouldn't be too concerned.
You may want to bump up the oil viscosity to 20-W50 on your next oil change if it bothers you.
2007-03-27 15:48:44 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
either a oil pump or sending unit.
2007-03-27 18:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
MIGHT NOT NEED A PUMP, THE SCREEN ON THE PUMP INTAKE MIGHT BE DIRTY. DO YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL REGULARLY?
2007-03-27 15:39:25 · answer #5 · answered by JDETLEF 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋