Low cold start oil pressure

Noticed that my oil pressure has seemed a little low in the cold this winter. Sits around 30-35 at idle, climbs to maybe 45 driving, but doesn't settle in to 50-60 like Id expect until the engine fully warms up.

Is this something I should have serious concern about? It feels like if runs just fine. Doesn't burn much oil. If f I check after about 5k, it's usually down a bit less than a quart. That's nothing new, been happening for years from various small leaks.

5.3 with 298K miles. I run Mobil 1 high mileage full synthetic, 10w30 in the summer, 5w30 in the winter (5w30 in it right now). Mobil 1 high capacity filter as well. Usually change every 6k, about 5 since the last change right now.

Anything above 10psi is nothing to worry about

Agreed. Oil pressure is fine. Take the money you've been saving up for an oil pump remove and replace job and use it to go buy a new gun!

YukonandtheHOE said:

Anything above 10psi is nothing to worry about

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this.

my GTO (ls1) does 38psi cold start, hot idle is around 20 but the PSI increases 10psi per 1000rpm through the rev range. as long as pressure rises with RPM you should be fine.

I learned about this with my 350 Olds Rocket, sure a guy could pull it down and redo the clearances to have 40 PSI all the time but "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

YukonandtheHOE said:

I learned about this with my 350 Olds Rocket, sure a guy could pull it down and redo the clearances to have 40 PSI all the time but "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

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Hahaha I remember those. Vin X, right?

The part that scared me is that close after startup, the pressure would actually drop if I put my foot down. Not down to 0 or anything, but it certainly didn't rise like normal. Now, the gauge has done the bouncing thing at idle for nearly the cars entire life, so I suppose this could be a sensor issue

rockola1971 said:

Hahaha I remember those. Vin X, right?

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Cant confirm the Vin right now.
81 Delta 88 Brougham

lkrasner said:

The part that scared me is that close after startup, the pressure would actually drop if I put my foot down. Not down to 0 or anything, but it certainly didn't rise like normal. Now, the gauge has done the bouncing thing at idle for nearly the cars entire life, so I suppose this could be a sensor issue

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Yup try a sensor, if its the same as it is now, the cam, rod or main bearings are just getting wore down, especially with cold starts. only If you have really high oil pressure or >10 you need to worrie

lkrasner said:

The part that scared me is that close after startup, the pressure would actually drop if I put my foot down. Not down to 0 or anything, but it certainly didn't rise like normal. Now, the gauge has done the bouncing thing at idle for nearly the cars entire life, so I suppose this could be a sensor issue

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Also check for corrosion or loose connection of the wiring harness at the sensor.