Low Oil Pressure at Idle When Warm

[Austen Leach]

Well, you replaced the o-ring and checked the pressure sensors and oil filter. Have you filled the motor with 8 or 9 quarts of oil and seen what the pressure is?

I haven’t actually checked the pressure sensor. Is there a way to do this? I also have not put 8 or 9 quarts of oil in it. Wouldn’t that just tell me if the pickup tube o-ring was bad?

 

[avalonandl]

Float the bearings as in good or bad?

Good, the bearings in your crank "float " on a film of oil. You need that for them to work as designed.

 

[Austen Leach]

Good, the bearings in your crank "float " on a film of oil. You need that for them to work as designed.

Gotcha. Glad to know I might not be doing any damage driving it like this till I can solve the problem

 

[swathdiver]

I haven’t actually checked the pressure sensor. Is there a way to do this? I also have not put 8 or 9 quarts of oil in it. Wouldn’t that just tell me if the pickup tube o-ring was bad?

I thought you had swapped it out. The other way would be to view data from scan tool and compare to dash and then of course a mechanical gauge. As for the o-ring, yes, over-filling would submerge the o-ring and eliminate starvation if it was pinched or rotten.

 

[Austen Leach]

I thought you had swapped it out. The other way would be to view data from scan tool and compare to dash and then of course a mechanical gauge. As for the o-ring, yes, over-filling would submerge the o-ring and eliminate starvation if it was pinched or rotten.

The Solus I have won’t read actual oil pressure so I can compare it to the dash but it does give me oil pressure switch voltage which is sitting at 1.41-1.52 with the dash showing oil pressure at 30psi and coolant temp at 158 degrees Fahrenheit

 

[Fless]

That sender voltage tracks with mine ('04 5.3 Flex):

Gauge Oil Sensor
Pressure_ Voltage (v)

0 (engine off) 0.53
35 1.69
40 1.86
45 2.06
50 2.29
60 2.41

That doesn't mean that your sender isn't under-reporting the actual oil pressure, though. Only way to verify that is with a direct pressure gauge.

 

[Austen Leach]

That sender voltage tracks with mine ('04 5.3 Flex):

Gauge Oil Sensor
Pressure_ Voltage (v)

0 (engine off) 0.53
35 1.69
40 1.86
45 2.06
50 2.29
60 2.41

That doesn't mean that your sender isn't under-reporting the actual oil pressure, though. Only way to verify that is with a direct pressure gauge.

I’ll double check the voltages tomorrow. I’m trying to do all the diagnostics I can until I can afford to get a mechanical gauge or just replace the sensor

 

[SnowDrifter]

I’ll double check the voltages tomorrow. I’m trying to do all the diagnostics I can until I can afford to get a mechanical gauge or just replace the sensor

Lot of auto parts stores rent them for free, sans deposit which you get back

 

[bondservant2]

is the o-ring problem an issue on the later (07-13) 6.0 engines..? I’ve always thought my K2500 should have better oil pressure. About 20 at warm idle. I haven’t owned a GM product for years and this one only a few months.

 

[wjburken]

is the o-ring problem an issue on the later (07-13) 6.0 engines..? I’ve always thought my K2500 should have better oil pressure. About 20 at warm idle. I haven’t owned a GM product for years and this one only a few months.

Yep.