1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Dropping oil pressure

Old 04-06-2011, 05:39 PM
  #1  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default Dropping oil pressure

Yesterday I noticed a drop in oil pressure. Today I was tuning, and over about a hour of doing this I watched the pressure drop about 20 psi. Sit around 40 when driving, drop down to about 30 at idle. Should be around 50. Until I figure this out SSExi is grounded. This is how the last engine was lost.

First thing I'm going to do is drop the oil pan and inspect the screen on the pick up tube. My thought on that is that it'* getting clogged up over time. When I shut it down the pressure will be higher then when I shut it off. I'll be getting on this early next week when I have off work. I needed to replace the oil pan gasket anyways.

If that don't fix the problem then I may have a defective cam. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Old 04-06-2011, 06:02 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Buick96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Buick96 is on a distinguished road
Default

This same exact thing happened to me, im pretty sure its because its getting warmer out and I still have 5w-30 oil in there which is what I use during the winter. Before you go all out and tear your car apart try 10w-30. If it already has that then well I did all I could LOL
Old 04-06-2011, 06:34 PM
  #3  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

It'* still in the 40s here. and I installed a 160* thermostat. Dropping the oil pan isn't that big of a deal. And it'* something I wanted to do, I'm just doing it a little sooner.
Old 04-06-2011, 08:18 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
jwfirebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: western,ny state
Posts: 9,616
Received 579 Likes on 497 Posts
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

thought your car was in jail anyway
Old 04-06-2011, 09:02 PM
  #5  
-- SITE DONATOR --
True Car Nut
 
ymmot04's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,638
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
ymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of lightymmot04 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

Hmm... bummer dude!

Although IIRC 30 is about what mine runs at idle once it'* completely warmed up?
Old 04-06-2011, 11:20 PM
  #6  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

I just want to make sure nothing is wrong. A gasket is easy to change.

Yes, my car was bad and went to jail yesterday. But got out because it scared the other inmates.
Old 04-06-2011, 11:46 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Buick96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,344
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Buick96 is on a distinguished road
Default

my car is just over 40 when driving and just under 40 when idling
Old 04-07-2011, 06:35 AM
  #8  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

I support the pan gasket/check screen and that oil pressure tester you linked.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Buck
Pontiac Bonneville
11
10-19-2013 11:18 PM
tpulliam79
1992-1999
8
04-02-2008 01:27 PM
amandar25420
1992-1999
31
12-02-2007 02:06 AM
nicklikesmilk
1992-1999
9
11-27-2006 01:29 PM
chuckj15
1992-1999
12
10-16-2006 12:08 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Dropping oil pressure



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:01 PM.