Oil Pressure

[jorge33265]

Thank god for the extended warrenty!... Problem is they dont cover trouble shooting.. go figure... Ok here goes and any help would be greatly appreciated.. I have a 1997 Auto. My oil pressure is fine when I start the car 40-50 psi. When the car heats up over 120-135 deg. my oil pressure drops to about 16 psi this is at idle. If I step on it... it will rise to 20-38 psi but it will drop again. These reading are on both the digital readout and the gadge. I take it this is not normal. I use Mobil 1.

 

[jorge33265]

Sorry correction..when the temp reaches 220-235

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Its is possible that your bypass valve is sticking a little. Did this just happen at one time?????
Before, your pressures were higher????
If so, I would simply take a pressure test with the GM special adapter for the LS1, and if this shows the same pressure as your gauge, then I would replace the oil pump assembly. This includes your housing and your bypass valve.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[jorge33265]

Well the car has been getting progressively hotter with time. Ive only had the car about 6 months. At first the temp would never go past 210 then it started to go to 220. I had the cooling system checked and replaced the overflow tank that was leaking. That did not help. I opened the thermostat and that didn't help. Now the temps are at about 230-234 in traffic. Everything is ok when I first start the car in terms of pressure and stuff. Its when the car gets warm that the pressure drops. Specially at Idle. I checked the oil level and it was ok. I never noticed the oil pressure b/c when I bought the car it was broken. I had them change the sensor about 1 month ago. I never really paid much attention to the pressure gauge though since I was use to not looking at it for so long. but when the temps started rising so much I started looking at everything. I'm in Florida and it is hot here. about 90 deg. But I get concerned when the car runs at over 230.. Thanks for your help once again..

 

[jorge33265]

I just had a service manager from a chevy dealer tell me that 15 pounds of oil pressure is not too low. Is that accurate? When the problem occurs I have about 15 pounds but when I accelerate it goes up to 20-2o something. but never back to 40 even if I step on it. Also the temp goes up when this happens.
So whats normal oil pressure after the car warms up?

 

[c4c5specialist]

I just had a service manager from a chevy dealer tell me that 15 pounds of oil pressure is not too low. Is that accurate? When the problem occurs I have about 15 pounds but when I accelerate it goes up to 20-2o something. but never back to 40 even if I step on it. Also the temp goes up when this happens.
So whats normal oil pressure after the car warms up?

Hi there,
Per GM service guidelines, Yes, this would be classified as normal.
I would still perform a mechanical test.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[jorge33265]

I'll do that thanks alot for your help..