Oil pressure drop at idle

[00firebird]

I noticed today (I think it's not in my head) that the oil pressure is dropping below what is 'normally' normal when I'm at idle. It's most noticible when I'm sitting in park or when I'm at a red light in traffic. I've only noticed it so far when the car isn't moving. I can hear a slight drop in the engine speed when it happens too. If I'm cruising at speed in 4th gear around 1000rpm though it doesn't seem to drop below the 60psi mark.


Now I did have the A/C on and off throughout my trip home today, but even when I had it off it was still doing it in the garage as you can see in the video below.


How likely do you think this is to develop into a bigger problem? What are the potential issues and fixes, and what should I watch out for over the next few days while driving? Thanks in advance.


http://s9.photobucket.com/user/00fir...65940.mp4.html

[matlt1]

Maybe I'm missing something but I did not see anything wrong in the video. It could be due to the higher outdoor temperatures today that your pressure was slightly lower than normal. Try looking at the gauge again on a cooler day and see if the issue reappears.

[mikewoods]

Doesn't seem like an issue to me either. What weight engine oil are you running? As was posted above higher ambient temperature may be your issue.

[jderry]

40ish psi @ idle @ 200 degree is pretty good in my opinion. Seems normal to me. If you want to see more oil pressure you can use a different oil in the summer. If you are using a 5w30 go to a 10w30.

[00firebird]

Been using 5w30 mobil 1 for about 3 years now. I used to switch to 10w30 in the summers but I could tell the engine liked the 5w more so I kept that in it year round. I just changed the oil less than a month ago too.

I do know that the engine burns some oil. The speed does drop from around 800 to 600 randomly when parked, but that doesn't show here. I've only noticed this recently as it never did this before. If it gets worse I'll try to get another vid.

[SOPES]

Just throwing it out there... and I know you changed your oil a month ago but where is the physical oil level at ? Have you put a new pcv in lately?

[00firebird]

It's at full, the PCV I did a few years ago but it was an acdelco. Don't think that is bad. If it were internal engine parts what would be going

[SOPES]

pull the pcv to check its condition, see if its sludgy. it could be any number of internal issues. Try putting some lucas oil stabalizer in the oil to see if it helps smooth out the oil PSI then we know there is something worn inside

[Dummybait]

Looks pretty normal to me. mine never dips below 40 at idle. even on the hottest days. when driving on the highway it will occasionally be less than 60 when warmed up. these guages arn't exactly known for their accuracy. I'm a big fan of 10w30 over 5w30 simply for the fact that its closer to a straight 30w than 5w30. at operatiing temps 5w30 and 10w30 are the same anyways.

[c0ncEpT]

I think you'll be alright considering the minimum spec is something like 10PSI @ 1000rpm

[b.lee]

Normal

[00firebird]

It drove all 50 miles today at over 60 psi today. Saw maybe 58psi at lights. Only difference is I never turned on my A/C today. Should that have any affect on it?

[limited360]

Only impact AC will have on this is...

When AC is on, the idle is bumped slightly in order to compensate for the extra load the AC applies on the engine. This should show higher oil pressure than a complete idle.

However I always expect a drop in oil pressure at idle.... 25psi or higher and I wouldnt be very concerned.

Now if your seeing the oil pressure drop while above ~1000rpm I would be concerned.

Also where are you reading such accurate pressure readings from? Cause the gauge on the dash is useless except for indicaiton...