Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

When I stop at red lights...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2000 | 05:16 PM
  #1  
cobrakiller1989's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
When I stop at red lights...

When I stop at a red light my oil pressure drops down really low. It almost goes down to the red(danger) area. I know it has plenty of oil. My questions are: Can I co something about this? And is it safe as long as it doesnt get into the red area on the gauge?
thanks in advance
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2000 | 05:20 PM
  #2  
fb305svs's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, Ct
Car: 1991Firebird T/A
Engine: 350
Transmission: Modified Viper t-56
Axle/Gears: dana 44, 3.55
well i would suggest finding out if ur gauge is right.. if you have a drop in oil pressure like that, that will eventually mean the end of ur motor, kinda sounds like ur low on oil, or the pick up is somehow fallen or moved... i guess the best bet would be to check the oil again... it doesn't hurt to double check urself...

Steve
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2000 | 06:33 PM
  #3  
Wishmaster's87IROC's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Winston salem, NC
Car: 1987 1SICIROC.....1999 TransAm
Engine: 385 HSR.....LS1
Transmission: 700R4 with Midwest 3400 2.4str...M6
Axle/Gears: SLP Zexel Posi unit 3.42's...3.73's
My car does the same thing. I have changed all the oil pressure sending units. When I come to a stop light it drops also. But if I come to a hard stop my oil pressure drops to "0" and then pops back up to about 45psi's...
I wonder what the hell it could be.

------------------
wishmister@yahoo.com

1987 White IROC-Z
305 TPI LB9 273 Rear Gear
700-R4 auto tranny
97,000 miles
KYB's
Performance Resource Chip
Flowmaster Muffler
Ported/Polished Plenum by "Daniel Burk"
Holley AFPR
Throttle Body Coolant bypass
TPIS air Foil
TPIS MAT Relocation Kit
K&N's
Gutted air box
Accel 8.0 plug wires
Moroso Super Coil
Blue Streak Cap and Rotor
Boush Patinum +4's
Mobil 1 15/50 Synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 synthetic Trans fluid.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2000 | 06:56 PM
  #4  
Blade's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
Mine does the exact same thing. At first I was worried, but I Was told it could the sender. They way I see it, if the pressure wouldnt ACTUALLY drop why would the send say it does ? LOL

------------------
92 Z28 L98 350
---------------
Ported stock heads, XR270HR-10 cam, TES headers, Crane AFPR, Flowmaster catback, MSD ignition components.
Best ET 12.9@107 mph
"Take that auto, drop it in first, hold the brakes, stomp the gas and grin from ear to ear! :-)
Click here to see my car at Truspeed.org
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2000 | 08:26 PM
  #5  
ede's Avatar
ede
TGO Supporter
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 1
From: Jackson County
first thing you need to do is put a mechanical gauge on the engine to see what the preasure really is. the factory gauge and sender aren't known for being accurate.

------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2000 | 04:22 PM
  #6  
stingerssx's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 1
From: So. Cal, L.A.
Car: '88 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: Built 383 TPI
Transmission: Built 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt, 3.27:1 Posi
Oil pressure comes from bearing clearances. If your running oil that is too thin, your oil pump, while your engine is under no load, doesn't create enough pressure. Check the viscosity and the weight of your oil. After alot of wear, you have to start using heavier oil. I'm not saying start using sraight 60wt. But if your using 5w-20, try 10w-30 or what ever your climate alows.

------------------
'82 Firebird, dead stock, 9 bolt disc rear, over 200,000 miles and still going strong, more to come...
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2000 | 04:57 PM
  #7  
Wishmaster's87IROC's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Winston salem, NC
Car: 1987 1SICIROC.....1999 TransAm
Engine: 385 HSR.....LS1
Transmission: 700R4 with Midwest 3400 2.4str...M6
Axle/Gears: SLP Zexel Posi unit 3.42's...3.73's
I use 15/50 Mobil1....
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2000 | 05:21 PM
  #8  
cobrakiller1989's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
The engine is still brand new and I havent even started using synthetic oils yet. I am using 5w-30 right now. Do you think I should try 10w-30?
and thanks for the replies.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2000 | 02:47 PM
  #9  
vortecfcar's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake Il
Car: '98 Z
Engine: LS1/6
Transmission: 4l60E
yes thicker = more pressure. I was running almost 50psi at idle with 10w30 and with 0w30 I have like 20psi

------------------
91 RS W/carbed 350, Vortec heads, performer rpm, Comp cams Xtreme energy 280 grind. BFG Drag radials. 3.42 posi,Corvette servoed 700r4, ****ty stock converter
13.24@104
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2000 | 08:01 PM
  #10  
88 350 tpi formula's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,544
Likes: 19
From: WI,USA
Car: 89 FORMULA 350, 91 Z28 Convertible
Engine: ls1, LB9
Transmission: t56, Auto
Axle/Gears: S60/ 3.73
like the first reply said it is your oil pump pick up. try tapping the bottom of your oil pan see if you can hear some thing rattle back. other wise you may need to drop your pan. if you leave it like me (do to an upcomming eng. swap.) avoid quick stops.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GeneralIesrussi
Carburetors
6
Jun 20, 2024 07:21 PM
85 Jimmy
TPI
3
Sep 30, 2015 07:56 AM
TheExaminer
Body
12
Sep 28, 2015 02:28 PM
corey8084
Cooling
48
Sep 17, 2015 02:56 PM
MORREALE5
Interior Parts for Sale
7
Sep 13, 2015 09:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:15 AM.