What to check on low oil pressure problem?
Asked by A_Ohh May 16, 2015 at 10:52 PM about the 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Problem started awhile back, on start up it'll read around 60 PSI as I drive it goes down to
about 30 or lower when I stop and goes back up to 60 as I accelerate, so I changed the
oil pressure switch above the oil filter and my oil pressure reads 90 or so but it does the
same thing, it'll drop as the engine is at operating temperature but go back up as I
accelerate. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
7 Answers
what problem.. that seems normal. my 3800 was at those numbers.
There isn't a problem. Engine at idle can take as low as 5 psi to be fine and alup to temp as low as 15psi.
All the other answers are in fact Correct, as long as you keep the oil Level up and you don't hear any clatter keep driving.
If you are worried, go to a slight heaver weigh oil. If you are still on the same engine w/o overhaul, it just may be getting a bit tired.
There is nothing wrong with 30psi. That's actually where most sit at idle between 20 and 30. Don't get too much heavier a oil as it staves the upper end. It's designed for 5-30, run it
Andrew, I said a slightly heaver oil compound, not 40 or 50 weight. The car is 12 years old, so running even straight 30 weight will not do it any harm. Even a 20W-30 would work. In my built Corvette engine I use 50 Valvoline racing oil, and on start up it is over 70 psi. Step on it and it goes down to 40 psi and runs around 60 most of the time. I never have had any issues with that in an older 350 Chevy. My newer cars, I use what is recommended until I get over 100K on the engine then I go up one weight. Never had issues.
Okay,only reason I'm concerned is cause when I first got it, oil pressure was a consistent 60 PSI. Thanks guys.
