Hi Folks,

Came across this site looking for info - and seems I found a ton of it.

I am stupid - so please type *-l-o-w-l-y if you have any answers for me..LOL

Oil Pressure - Long saga made short. Once the engine was hot - like coming off the interstate - and then came to a stop light, the oil pressure would ding-ding-ding - needle way down. Give it a little gas, it goes back to 40 on the gauge.

Bought the car used - it is a cream puff - knew the guy who owned it - gave me all paperwork and repair records. Top shelf. Seems this problem was "fixed" once before (about 4k miles ago) by a Pontiac dealer. My mechanic (honest and really good) tests and there is low pressure - says it needs oil pump replaced plus housing(dealer did not replace housing) as he said the oil would go around the wear in the housing. So it did the job...

Two months later - yup - ding, ding, ding. @#$%^&)_(*&^@#$%^&*()_)*&(^

Again, only at idle after engine has been run hard - or extreme hot weather (and engine is hot).

I haven't gone back to have the pressure checked again, but is this something that even makes sense to any of you?

I appreciate any feedback.

BTW - This car has buttons for everything - LOL - Next, the compass .....

Thanks!!

I don't have an answer, I'm afraid. But welcome to the club. Fuddy will be here in a minute. He a regular genious!

Well I'm afraid your car'* engine has suffered from what most 3800'* eventually die from. If you do a search on "Low Oil Pressure" I know you'll come up with about a dozen threads on this very topic. As $$$ wise you'll be looking at a Crank Kit (Crank & new bearings - Main/Rod), possible a new/used Conn Rod, Gaskets & 20 Hours Labour! MIne was going to cost around $3000 CAN to rebuild, therefore I bought another car instead & sold my Bonneville.

Yup I'd have to agree with Mr. Rat on this one . You can probably wrap a band-aid around this for a few 1000 miles by stretching the oil pressure spring. Its really not too complicated but if you're not in the least bit mechanically savvy tell your mechanic you are thinking about stretching the oil pressure spring to compensate "for the time being". This "fix" is iffy though because the pressure spring comes into effect more above the idle mark. Another reversable way is to put a shim between the plunger and the spring effectively pushing it harder into its housing. Once you or your mechanic takes a look at it you'll see what I'm talking about. That way if it doesn't work out you can simply remove the shim and reassemble it. I can get more into the details if its something you wanna try.

Same thing happend to my '95...And after about $1,700 in repairs, it started happening again a few months later. Needless to say, I *** canned the car... I gave the Fu#$ about $5,000 in a years time and he still was a *****. I'm an idiot.

*edited for content*

Well, I certainly appreciate the feedback - and the welcome from all. While it wasn't the news I wanted to hear, it may at least give me an idea of what I need to do.

Like I said earlier, I am no Mighty Mouse when it comes to modern cars - but do you think it may be worth looking into a rebuilt engine as an alternative? The rest of the car is in great shape and it is just so damn comfortable to ride in. On the other hand, I would hate to throw good money after bad.

What effects would a heavier weight oil have? Would it at least keep it from sounding like I am in Macy'*? (ding, ding, ding....)

Thanks!!

You have fairly low miles on the chassis.....if it'* in great shape, I'd price the work that needs to be done in comparison to a new/rebuilt motor first.

These drivetrains typically see 200k miles very easily, without much effort on your part. The weak point is usually the transmission.

Heavier viscosity will raise your pressure a tad, but probably won't stop the Macy'* at idle. It may also have a negative effect.....at this point in the life of your engine, I'd be more concerned with getting volume through those bearings, not necessarily trying to falsely raise the pressure.

Great feedback - I'll have to ask my bud about pricing to have the proper work done....

Come on Lottery!!!!

I leave on an extended weekend with the boys up in NY state, I hope it at least gets me there and back.

Now if I could ever get that freakin compass to work ..... LOL

Post that compass thread in the Audio/Electronics forum, and we'll see what we can do! You may blow up, but we can't have you gettting lost.

Well, that'* great... I appreciate the help. If anyone in this forum needs help with PC'* or networks, I can offer up myself - contact me at Lew@LewR.com - I would be happy to return the favor. Truly nice as well to see a sense of humor - I thought that was a dying attribute lately.

PS - I'l let you know after this weekend if we had to do an ejection from the cockpit - or if we got there and back okay....