Low cold start oil pressure

[lkrasner]

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.

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

Anything above 10psi is nothing to worry about

 

[rockola1971]

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!

 

[dantheman]

Anything above 10psi is nothing to worry about

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.

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

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"

 

[rockola1971]

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"

Hahaha I remember those. Vin X, right?

 

[lkrasner]

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

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

Hahaha I remember those. Vin X, right?

Cant confirm the Vin right now.
81 Delta 88 Brougham

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

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

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

 

[rockola1971]

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

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

 

[Yukon2000xl]

Mine started that last winter with a slight lifter clicking.In spring it got worse to wear the oil pressure light would come on at startup ! Changed the oil pump and now it reads between 60-70psi cold and drops to 40 warm and this is on an engine with 230000 miles on it 2000 Yukon XL 5.3l


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[lkrasner]

Mine started that last winter with a slight lifter clicking.In spring it got worse to wear the oil pressure light would come on at startup ! Changed the oil pump and now it reads between 60-70psi cold and drops to 40 warm and this is on an engine with 230000 miles on it 2000 Yukon XL 5.3l


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How bad was changing the oil pump? I fear trying to get everything off with 300k of Michigan rust. Although I did recently drop the tranny pan and that wasn't as stuck as expected

 

[95escahoe]

I'd suggest the oil pressure sending unit on the back of the engine could be an issue as easy as that since it seems to be running good otherwise


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[Yukon2000xl]

How bad was changing the oil pump? I fear trying to get everything off with 300k of Michigan rust. Although I did recently drop the tranny pan and that wasn't as stuck as expected

If this is your problem it's about 6hrs if you have 4x4 but I'd start at sender first.I had no oil pressure and lifter noise so totally different symptoms,but mine started like yours


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[Yukon2000xl]

Oh and don't forget the screen replacement!


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[TerryKing]

Low oil at COLD start. I had a 5.7 startup at -20F where the oil pressure reading seemed to be real low for a couple of minutes. After warmup it was normal. On 10 degree startups now the reading comes right up. It may be the screen etc is SO stuff at -20??

 

[yukonkink03]

As crazy as this sounds, try changing your oil filter and see what happens. I went through this same scenario last week. My oil pressure was low on startup and while driving, just started all of a sudden. I was due for a change at about 4000 miles and changing the oil and filter brought my pressure back to what I considered normal. 35/50

 

[JonnyTahoe]

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.

Your at the mileage where those Oil Pump O-Rings start to fail. I'm dealing with a much worse pressure issue than you right now running the same oil just not full syn. There is a full write-up on the problem under ''Low Oil Pressure''.