1987 TR. Oil pressure is only 35-38 on highway at 65-70 mph. Outside air temp was in the 60's. I use 10W30 Valvoline VR-1 with ZDDP. Used to be 50-55 psi on highway. I have about 60,000 miles on rebuilt motor. Pressure is 15-20 at hot idle. Could gauge be going bad, sender going bad, or could this be somethng serious? Thanks!
Low oil pressure on hwy
- Thread starter GNRick
- Start date
I never checked it at WOT when it was newly rebuilt, so if I check it now, I won't be able to tell you if it has changed. What should it be at WOT?
oil pressure drop
hey man it could be your oil pump getting weak they do that and it should be a simple fix some oil pumps have a screen over them that filters the oil and traps any debri from coming through if thats stopped up then u could clean it out too im not sure where there mounted some are on the inside of the oil pan and some are on the side of the motor.
I hope you get it fixed.
sincerely chris
hey man it could be your oil pump getting weak they do that and it should be a simple fix some oil pumps have a screen over them that filters the oil and traps any debri from coming through if thats stopped up then u could clean it out too im not sure where there mounted some are on the inside of the oil pan and some are on the side of the motor.
I hope you get it fixed.sincerely chris
A good way to do an initial check to see if it is something serious would be to cut your filter apart and see if it contains any bearing material.
We do this on a routine basis for our customers when doing an oil change.
The old rule says about 10 psi for every 1000 RPM...So 5000 RPM at LEAST 50 psi, if you are gonna spin it 6000, then at least 60.
Nick is right if you think there's a problem the filter is a great place to start.
So if rpm=2000 on highway, 20 psi oil pressure would be good? Are you sure? I had a TTA with 32,000 miles on it and it had 40 psi on highway. Would bearing material be obvious or do you need a microscope or something?
That rule is for WOT pressure.
but as I said that number is the minimum.
I've never cut open a filter, but I'm sure Nick can answer that.
I'm due for a change. Been about 7000 miles since last change. However, I just added 2 quarts as it was low low low. Drove it to Bowling Green and back, no issues. Oil pressure at start up when cold is 75 psi, if that means anything. Should I just throw out the oil pressure gauge? I once had low oil pressure in a newly rebuilt motor on a different car. I took it back to engine builder, and he claimed all he did was change the oil. Stayed at 50 psi on highway ever since.
I meant "no issues" except for low oil pressure. The 2 quarts were added before I left for 6 hour trip to BG.
Just a Six??
OK! Who Farted??
Pour old oil into a pan & hold a magnet thru it at the glitter. There is a good start. Altho, your engine sounds like it is probably fine & filter is Dirty!
I need to check my notes. The sticker on the windshield indicated 7k miles, but I'm pretty sure I changed it myself more recently than that. With three of these cars it's hard to keep them straight. Just ordered 10 bottles of ZDDP, so no phone call to DCFS is necessary.
Turbo-Archie
Active Member
I'd be interested to see what the pickup screen looks like..
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