Hi forums,

I recently bought a 1991 firebird with the 3.1L V6 engine (exact same as the camaro 3.1L) and im having some problems with the oil pressure.

The gauge in the car sits at 40psi (half way) when the car is at idle and it jumps to 80 psi when the gas pedal is pressed. The needle will drop to 0 when the engine is off, so i know the needle isnt getting stuck.

I need to get this car fixed up and on the road ASAP, so any input would be appreciated.

I would also like to know what the oil pressure should be in a 3.1L V6 at idle and when the gas is pressed.

Thanks!

 

Thats when its at a hot idle and running?

Nothings wrong with it idleing at 30-40psi and jumping up when you go WOT.

 

Spec, I believe, is a minimum of 15 PSI at operating temp and idle. The regulator spring may be old, but it's supposed to be calibrated to 70 when new... Plus, our gauges are notorious for being inaccurate..

 

Thanks for the replies!
Im not too worried about it now.
I guess its a combo of the spring and the gauge giving inaccurate readings

 

The oil PSI gauge in my car sits at about half when the car is off and when running just stay pegged. I would not worry about it, but if it's reading very low when running thne I might worry.

 

Use a mechanical gauge connected to the oil pressure port to verify actual oil pressure.

 

My oil pressure on my 89 v6 is just abouve the red line at an idle with 10-40 so probably around 10-15 psi

 

This is not a bad idea just to be safe.

 

I'm running a mechanical oil pressure gauge and I run around 80 psi cold and once warmed up and in drive it'll drop to a little below 15 psi and around 40psi when I'm driving. I got tired of trying to locate a good original so I just hooked up a mechanical gauge. Be warned though I wouldn't run the plastic line that comes with the gauges, I bought copper line for mine just to be safe.