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Oil Pressure dropping????

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Old 08-09-2013, 11:24 AM
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Default Oil Pressure dropping????

So I live in texas and summers are constantly above 100 degrees. I drive about 50% city other 50% highway. After about 15-20 min of driving I notice my oil pressure drops to 35psi at a light, it usually sits right at 40 psi at a light. I notice the valve train gets louder also. I have checked time after time and no oil is being burned.

I use castrol 10W 30 would 10W 40 help this issue? I change my oil and filter every 2500-3000 miles
Old 08-09-2013, 11:35 AM
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35psi is plenty pressure at idle. don't sweat it.
Old 08-09-2013, 01:27 PM
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I agree with above. I would be more concerned if the pressure didn't go up with an increase in RPM. Does it still run the same pressure it used to at cruising speeds?
Old 08-09-2013, 02:07 PM
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I have switched over to Mobile1 in my new motor and I have noticed better oil pressure at idle with it.
Old 08-09-2013, 02:15 PM
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the oil pressure will go up with rpms but after 20min on the highway it drops 5 psi as well. Can hear the valve train in detail b/c the free way to work has concret guard walls and it gets noticable louder in the cab and off the wall when oil pressure drops 5ish psi.

70mph
0-20min 50psi
20min + 40-45psi

I was thinking maybe the hot 105-110 degrees is making the oil viscosity less thick after motor gets to operating temp and driven in the hot temp for 10-20min

Factory recommends using 5W 30 but I know this is b/c of northern climate truck sails. As my 10W 30 gets closer to changing time the valve train gets louder as well. I have been checking the oil every day or other day for the past month/1000 miles no burning
Old 08-09-2013, 03:36 PM
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Like said, don't worry about it. It is because the oil is getting hot and thinning out.
Old 08-10-2013, 12:48 PM
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Nice! Thanks guys for calming my paranoia haha
Old 08-10-2013, 02:14 PM
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I had a similar issue. Except mine would drop to 18-20 at idle when hot. When i dropped the oil pan my oil pickup screen was covered in crap. I cleaned it all off and swapped out pumps for a melling HV one. I have plenty of pressure now. I am betting most of my issue was the crap on the screen.
Old 08-11-2013, 10:19 AM
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Mine does this too. I wouldnt sweat it. I would cut the filter at your next oil change though to see if there is bearing material. I think the stock pump doesnt pump enough oil to enable the relief spring for the pressure. The pressure is then determined by the oil weight, and the bearing clearances.
Old 08-13-2013, 02:42 PM
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I cut the oil filter open and looked through the oil with a magnet yesterday, and no metal particles.

I switched to castrol 10W 40 synthetic. Oil pressure is now around 45 psi at idle, after a full hour of driving still around 40-45psi and no more valve train noise.

Lets see if it last for 3000 miles


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