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

Low oil pressure at operating temp

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
camaro87-alex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Low oil pressure at operating temp

Just as the title says I am having trouble getting low oil pressure after the engine reaches operating temperatur.

I rebuilt my engine 3years ago changing all the bearings and installed a high flow oil pump. After that rebuild my stock gauge showed around 60+ PSI at cold engine (idle RPM)

After the engine warmed up it showed around 50PSI at idle RPM.

But lately it just started showing lower oil pressure. No noises and no smoke, oil-loss etc.

It is curently showing around 45PSI at cold engine and about 15PSI at normal operating temperature.

I thought is could be the pick-up at the oil pump so I actually removed the engine to do a complete inspection, but the pickup and the oil pump is just as it is supposed to be.

Any other ideas?

Btw, the engine is going to be repainted anyway so the engine removal work had to be done anway
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 03:25 PM
  #2  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

Have you been using same weight oil? How has it been driven last few years?
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 04:36 PM
  #3  
DARKmj16's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
Car: 92 25th anv camaro rs
Engine: 305 tbi
Axle/Gears: 3.08s non posi
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

i hear spun cam bearings will also take the oil pressure.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 07:48 PM
  #4  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,262
Likes: 168
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

With no noises, cam bearings are the most likely cause of low oil pressure when hot. Bad rod bearings make noise. Bad main bearings normally seize up.

Confirm pressure is low with a mechanical gauge first.

What kind of mileage is on the oil filter? Replace it even if the oil doesn't need changing. Cut open the filter. Dig out some filter material and put it in a vise to squish the oil out of the material to make inspection easier. Lots of metal is a good indication some bearings are failing.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2014 | 03:21 PM
  #5  
camaro87-alex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

Originally Posted by Orr89RocZ
Have you been using same weight oil? How has it been driven last few years?
I am currently runing synthetic oil. I use the stock weight grade 5W-30.

Sorry the slow response from me here..Have been very busy at work lately.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2014 | 03:27 PM
  #6  
camaro87-alex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

Originally Posted by AlkyIROC
With no noises, cam bearings are the most likely cause of low oil pressure when hot. Bad rod bearings make noise. Bad main bearings normally seize up.

Confirm pressure is low with a mechanical gauge first.

What kind of mileage is on the oil filter? Replace it even if the oil doesn't need changing. Cut open the filter. Dig out some filter material and put it in a vise to squish the oil out of the material to make inspection easier. Lots of metal is a good indication some bearings are failing.
The oil I am using now is stock weight grade. Have recently changed the oil and filter. Using synthetic oil 5W-30.


Ain't many miles on the oil filter at all. I suppose the cam bearings are good since they have around 5-6000miles at them.
The car is not used for race though but more like a daily (Nice weather) car. But of course I do push the car a little

I think I would have to check with another gauge.
Cause I can't find anything suspicious when I dropped the oil pan and neither in the oil.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2014 | 06:30 PM
  #7  
AlkyIROC's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,262
Likes: 168
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

Originally Posted by camaro87-alex
I suppose the cam bearings are good since they have around 5-6000miles at them.
Doesn't really mean much. One still could have spun in the block and is causing problems.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2014 | 08:51 AM
  #8  
camaro87-alex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Car: 1987 Chevrolet Camaro SC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Low oil pressure at operating temp

Finally got the engine in a engine stand and removed the camshaft today to check the bearings. They all look nice and they all look like they are in correct place. Mayby one of them have the oil hole a little out of center but if I don't remember wrong,

arent there oil grooves inside the cam bearing bores???
I mean this shouldn't effect the lubrication since the grooves are filled with oil anyway.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
89GTAOz
Tech / General Engine
13
May 16, 2020 09:31 AM
355sbcTPI
Electronics
2
Aug 19, 2015 04:38 PM
bamaboy0323
Tech / General Engine
2
Aug 15, 2015 07:20 AM
ChevyZ71
Interior
2
Aug 13, 2015 07:30 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 AM.