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Low oil pressure cause?

678 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  PGA2B, 
CJBert
Hello everyone, picked up my 2011 V from the shop today, and the person who dyno'd it, said that he noticed the oil pressure was extremely low during hot idle, he said the lowest he saw it was 12psi, Sure enough, when I took it home, it would sit from 24-30 psi during regular driving, and during idle at stop lights etc., it would dip down to 11psi is the lowest I saw, love these guys at the shop, but as I am trying to learn more about cars myself, I figured I would ask around on what it could be, came home to change the oil and oil filter, and this did not change anything, put it on a lift, saw no leaks, anyone else have this problem? Graph was super clean from the dyno, so I don't think it was starved of oil, and neither did he, but love to hear your all opinions. I used VR1 20W-50.
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Rubber Duck
First, welcome to our Forum..:)

This is most usually, but not always the O'Ring, which
generates the seal between the oil pump and pickup tube.

You might desire to Google this issue.
You will also find videos on YouTube regarding this issue.

You might desire to start here. .

Also, be very careful if you do replace this O'ring,
as there are several variants.

Wrong one and you will end up doing it twice..:mad:

And if you pinch or crush the O'Ring, you will
enjoy doing it 'Three Times'..lol

I would not drive the car (JMHO)!

Good Luck!
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RocketSled
You seem to be somewhat knowledgeable about engines. But you left out a key, critical details... how many miles on the engine? Does it use oil? Why were you doing a dyno test, does it have mods? What did it dyno? Did they log any data during the dyno run?
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CJBert
RocketSled said:
You seem to be somewhat knowledgeable about engines. But you left out a key, critical details... how many miles on the engine? Does it use oil? Why were you doing a dyno test, does it have mods? What did it dyno? Did they log any data during the dyno run?
Click to expand...
2k on the build, yes it uses oil, bought it from texas, moved to colorado, so I was getting it retuned for altitude, yes, a lot of mods, made 720 on e85.
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kittyboy
2
2k build I would expect 25-30psi hot idle. Your dyno power looks reasonable, however pressure is lower than normal with typical .0025" bearing clearances, your builder may have looser clearances? With low hot idle continue to run the 20w50. @random84 likes Redline, I use Amsoil. Colorado gets pretty cold, if you're out driving in blizzards consider 5w30. I would ask the builder what the bearing clearances are for sure. Next step would be to verify the sump tube o-ring. Install an independent oil pressure gauge somewhere in view you can always monitor it, same for fuel pressure. I attached the stock GM oil pressure warning table. The GM table is so low in all areas it's scary! (haha) If you ever get a low oil pressure "Chime" you'll at least have a stock oil pressure reference.
Rectangle Font Screenshot Parallel Software
Rectangle Font Parallel Software Screenshot
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RobF300
2k on the build/mods or on the engine itself?

dont take the following as me beating up on you:

who built the engine that it was using oil and now has low oil pressure?
I'm surprised the shop doing the tuning didn't perform a quick analysis before touching it, personally if im about the tune an engine I would do some due diligence first and low oil pressure would be a do not proceed with anything until its fixed. All the shops I have dealt with wants a fresh oil change and plugs and no issues otherwise they will not even take the car in.
You said it was using oil so did the engine develop this low oil pressure during tuning or have you just not been paying attention to the oil pressure? its kind of the only thing you should be monitoring on the DIC especially dealing with a modified vehicle.
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RobF300
Rubber Duck said:
I would not drive the car (JMHO)!

Good Luck!
Click to expand...
and this
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kittyboy
3
RobF300 said:
and this
Click to expand...
When I installed my sump tube the 'Melling' brand O-ring seemed to be a more snug fitment as compared to the GM O-ring.
(see attached images)

Attachments

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PGA2B
2
kittyboy said:
2k build I would expect 25-30psi hot idle. Your dyno power looks reasonable, however pressure is lower than normal with typical .0025" bearing clearances, your builder may have looser clearances? With low hot idle continue to run the 20w50. @random84 likes Redline, I use Amsoil. Colorado gets pretty cold, if you're out driving in blizzards consider 5w30. I would ask the builder what the bearing clearances are for sure. Next step would be to verify the sump tube o-ring. Install an independent oil pressure gauge somewhere in view you can always monitor it, same for fuel pressure. I attached the stock GM oil pressure warning table. The GM table is so low in all areas it's scary! (haha) If you ever get a low oil pressure "Chime" you'll at least have a stock oil pressure reference. View attachment 167343 View attachment 167344
Click to expand...
Wouldn't you also want to change these?
Rectangle Font Screenshot Parallel Number


Stock values are:
Rectangle Font Parallel Technology Screenshot
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kittyboy
PGA2B said:
Wouldn't you also want to change these?
View attachment 167403

Stock values are:
View attachment 167404
Click to expand...
I have my values currently set the following:
Rectangle Font Parallel Pattern Screenshot


J.W. must have changed these?
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PGA2B
@kittyboy I would think you would want to raise your Oil Press Min Hyst to like 21 psi?
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MrSurly
4
No one has said this yet? Cut open the recent oil filter and examine the filter media for copper and other metal particles.
get one of the oil filter cutting tools from Amazon (don't use a saw or grinder).
If there is NO metal or glitter found, then maybe it's the O-ring..

If there's Bass Boat glitter in there, then you'll know you have to pull it.

(I'm currently in the throes of this very fight)

Bottle Table Motor vehicle Wood Automotive tire

Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Automotive tire Gas Bumper

Rectangle Road surface Brick Material property Roof

Rectangle Road surface Material property Asphalt Composite material
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kittyboy
PGA2B said:
@kittyboy I would think you would want to raise your Oil Press Min Hyst to like 21 psi?
Click to expand...
I'll take your advise, I never thought about that one! ;)
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PGA2B
@MrSurly sorry to see this!
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