Oil Pressure

[jakcol997]

Hey guys! Looking for suggestions, my
Oil pressure when I start my car is fine. As soon as I start driving, and it gets up to temp, every time I stop at a light or anything, it bottoms out to zero and my check gauges light comes on. I just replaced my oil pressure sensor. And that didn’t seem to fix it. Any other suggestions as to what it could be?!?!

 

[Mechanic421]

Stop driving it until you test with a mechanical gage.

 

[Mechanic421]

Could be a lot of different things . Is there any audible noise?

 

[jakcol997]

Could be a lot of different things . Is there any audible noise?

No noises. What kind of gauge would I use?

 

[Mechanic421]

Any mechanical oil/transmission pressure gage need a adapter like the end of oil pressure sender. Harbor freight if in a pinch or maybe mail order if you have time to wait.

 

[Mechanic421]

What is your year,make and engine size? Mileage? You can use the old sender to match up a adapter.

 

[drakon543]

when you changed the oil pressure sensor did you make sure the port was clear. if there was build up inside the port. too much buildup inside small port for sensors like the oil pressure sensor can give you odd readings. quickly dropping rpms as in a stop will cut the pressure/flow down obviously but for a brief moment the sensor could read 0. the build up will act like an orifice and choke it down and at the moment the pressure drops the pressure built up at the sensor will release back through the buildup dropping your reading. until the pressure builds back up on the sensor side of the buildup it wont read enough and can trip your light. also x2 on the test it immediately with a mechanical gauge poor oil pressure is a quick road to serious repairs if its not addressed.

 

[east302]

Oil level is ok?

I got the t-shirt on that one a few years back...figured I’d toss it out there just in case.

 

[iCajun]

How many miles on it? Did it just recently start doing this?

 

[jakcol997]

How many miles on it? Did it just recently start doing this?

It has 247K on it, it’s been acting up for a while. And I just got an oil change at the beginning of the month. That thing was such a C#%T to replace if I seriously have to do it again, I’m going to scream, there is NO room in between the firewall and the damn thing

 

[drakon543]

you want them to make it easy for them to work on?

 

[jakcol997]

you want them to make it easy for them to work on?

Right? That would be too much to ask for

 

[jakcol997]

What is your year,make and engine size? Mileage? You can use the old sender to match up a adapter.

It’s a 1999 GMC Yukon SLT with 5.7 Vortec with 247K

 

[Mechanic421]

So old school R code 5.7 . With 250000 best case hopefully just a gage issue,but I am sure you know 250 and 21years old. First is test. There could be a number of things going on. I would pull a little oil out and look at it in the sunlight for metal flakes. If on flakes hopefully maybe a oilpump will help. Otherwise time to pull and tear down.

 

[iCajun]

It sounds like valid readings. Likely the engine bearings and oil pump are worn. The positive side is engines don't require much oil pressure at idle. A 20w-50 oil may help.

 

[George B]

Having an accurate pressure reading will help alot. put a gauge on it. i have seen them idle at 5-10 PSI and live for a long, long time. 10w-30 or 20w-50 may help. 10W-30 works ok in cold climates too. You really need to know what the pressure is at idle.

 

[jakcol997]

Okay! The hard part is working on it, cause my apartment complex you can’t work on your vehicles! (Plus I work where I live, so I HAVE to set a good example.. lame) I’ll get a gauge and give it a test! Would an oil flush help maybe?? I’m trying my hardest NOT to tear anything up, considering I’m a 22 year old with very little to none mechanical experience..

 

[George B]

Okay! The hard part is working on it, cause my apartment complex you can’t work on your vehicles! (Plus I work where I live, so I HAVE to set a good example.. lame) I’ll get a gauge and give it a test! Would an oil flush help maybe?? I’m trying my hardest NOT to tear anything up, considering I’m a 22 year old with very little to none mechanical experience..

I wouldn’t flush it. With that many miles you are asking for trouble.

Did this start before or after your oil change?

 

[jakcol997]

I wouldn’t flush it. With that many miles you are asking for trouble.

Did this start before or after your oil change?

Before, figured it was as simple as replacing the sensor!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Honestly, give us a pic of your COLD dipstick.

I know it's dumb, but sounds like low oil.