1. Home
  2. Chevrolet Trucks
  3. Oil Pressure Question on my S10

Oil Pressure Question on my S10

My S10 shows about 70psi (steady) of oil pressure when warmed up and at an idle. At normal driving RPM's it pegs out over 80psi. My question is this... is anyone familiar enough with the oil passages in the 4.3L engine to know if it is possible for this reading to happen due to blockage somewhere between the pump and somewhere after the sending unit?

I bought the car used with 116,000 miles on it and it has always been this way. It does not make any odd noises so I am not really to excited about it but I am curious. The PO did some towing because it has an aftermarket transmission cooler and a heavy duty hitch with the electric brake assist connection in back. The best I can hope for I guess is that the PO had a high volume oil pump put in because he wanted to be able to tow a heavy load. Like I said, that is what I want to believe but I do not know for sure.

Reply to
t_puls
Loading thread data ...

About all you can do to be sure is to install another gauge somewhere. I keep a mechanical one in my tool box for just such a thing. Unscrew the old sender, and just plug the gauge straight into the block. Remove when done. If the sender has never been out, it will have the permanent loctite on it and I wouldn't mess with it. Remove an oil plug out the side of the block or head, instead.

IF it turns out you have a high volume pump, I'd switch to a lighter weight engine oil, like 5W-30 or 5W-20. The higher pressures are only causing more drag on components and cutting your gas mileage a little. Thinning the oil will allow more volume to flow, which means the oil is cooler when it comes out the other end. Makes for longer lasting oil and better engine life.

Reply to
John Alt

My wifes 94 was like that when we first got it. Drained the oil and flushed it out then put in the correct oil and the oil pressure dropped back to around 35 at idle and 60-70 at cruise. I think it was because the place I got it from put 10W40 in it.

Reply to
Steve W.

I am not sure if your truck has an electrical gauge or not, but if it does there is something you might consider. The gauge is really nothing more than an ohmeter that registers the difference in resistance at the sending unit. If there is a loose connection or a wire that is stretched or broken inside, it can cause the greater resistance that the gauge may judge to be resistance caused by the sending unit. I hope others will chime in and let us know if my idea might hold water! Good Luck Rick

Reply to
Rhbuxton

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.