if i had a leaking oil pump pickup gasket.

[dastang2]

if it was leaking at the gasket between the pickup tube and the oil pump, would it cause my oil psi to get as low as 15 and lower at hot idle in 90 degree texas summer days. i currently have 10w30 and a mellings HV oil pump.
i have a mechanical gauge. i have been told to step up to 20w50. i have less than 1000 miles on the engine probably. is the oil thinning out too much.

 

[battyice]

Something is wrong if your oil pressure is that low on a new engine, especially with a HV oil pump. Weak oil pressure can be caused by many things: excessive rod/main bearing clearances, worn out/scored cam bearings, weak oil pump bypass spring, leaking oil pump/pickup gasket as you mentioned, missing oil gallery plug(s), or not enough clearance between the oil pump pickup and the oil pan.

What kind of oil pressure are you getting at higher rpms?

 

[dastang2]

60 cold and 45-50 hot, i can't hear any knocking or ticking but i have straight long tubes too.