Is my oil pump on its way out?

K

KlrSnk

New Member

Jun 21, 2006

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Oct 20, 2007

#1

• Oct 20, 2007

• #1

While driving the 90 last night, I noticed that at stoplights the oil pressure drops to 0 and stays while sitting still, but as soon as I take off it goes right back up to mid ways of 'normal'. Is my oil pump about to go?

 

cenok is family

15 Year Member

Jun 25, 2003

1,409

69

79

Norman, Ok

Oct 20, 2007

#2

• Oct 20, 2007

• #2

that's what it sounds like. try hooking a mechanical gauge up and see what it says. that way you know for sure it's not the gauge or the pressure switch.

 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman

Dec 26, 2006

0

10

49

Thomasville, ga

Oct 20, 2007

#3

• Oct 20, 2007

• #3

is the gauge slowly dropping down or does it just fall out. if its just falling out (like mine was) its just the gauge.

 

K

KlrSnk

New Member

Jun 21, 2006

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Oct 20, 2007

#4

• Oct 20, 2007

• #4

BK_CAULEY said:

is the gauge slowly dropping down or does it just fall out. if its just falling out (like mine was) its just the gauge.

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Its just falling out, goes from middle ways of normal to below 0 in no time. I hope its just the gauge..i need a new gauge cluster anyways, the tach doesnt work.

 

BK_CAULEY

it's built for speed not longevity, woman

Dec 26, 2006

0

10

49

Thomasville, ga

Oct 20, 2007

#5

• Oct 20, 2007

• #5

KlrSnk said:

Its just falling out, goes from middle ways of normal to below 0 in no time. I hope its just the gauge..i need a new gauge cluster anyways, the tach doesnt work.

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i personally think the gauge is your problem. mine was doing the same thing. and IMO the oil pressure couldnt drop that fast anyways. it would slowly drop. but test it to make sure befroe driving it anymore.

 

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Jul 11, 2003

480

0

17

Senoia, GA

Oct 20, 2007

#6

• Oct 20, 2007

• #6

Hook up a good gauge first. Usually when an oil pump goes out it goes out completely. Low oil pressure is a sign of worn bearings.

 

NKau

Founding Member

Dec 15, 2001

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Jefferson, WI

Oct 20, 2007

#7

• Oct 20, 2007

• #7

795.0pacecar said:

Hook up a good gauge first. Usually when an oil pump goes out it goes out completely. Low oil pressure is a sign of worn bearings.

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Yep. If a good gauge tells you that you are below 10 psi oil pressure at idle, you probably want to rebuild. As mentioned, usually when an oil pump 'goes bad' it will just lock up, and you will get no oil pressure period.

 

Bronco_Guy

New Member

Oct 26, 2003

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Oct 20, 2007

#8

• Oct 20, 2007

• #8

KlrSnk,

I had a similar problem where my oil pressure gauge would drop to near nuthin' when at a stop, but rise back up when the rpm's increased. Based on my findings here, I took off the push-on connector to the oil pressure sender and cleaned it along with the post on the sender...bingo -- problem solved.

This is a very simple thing to do, and might save you a lot of grief.

Good luck!

 

OonDeanisS

Founding Member

Jun 16, 2002

902

1

19

Danbury, CT

Oct 20, 2007

#9

• Oct 20, 2007

• #9

I have a mechanical autometer oil pressure gauge and mine has been dropping to about 23psi at idle recently, is this horrible or can i drive without worrying?

 

SuperStang83

Founding Member

Mar 21, 2001

1,693

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Boyertown, Pa

Oct 20, 2007

#10

• Oct 20, 2007

• #10

23psi isn't terrible, but about 20 is the lowest it should go at idle.

 

SuperStang83

Founding Member

Mar 21, 2001

1,693

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Boyertown, Pa

Oct 20, 2007

#11

• Oct 20, 2007

• #11

I agree with everyone, I was having the same problem and switched out to an autometer gauge. It is all better now.

 

NKau

Founding Member

Dec 15, 2001

1,346

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Jefferson, WI

Oct 20, 2007

#12

• Oct 20, 2007

• #12

OonDeanisS said:

I have a mechanical autometer oil pressure gauge and mine has been dropping to about 23psi at idle recently, is this horrible or can i drive without worrying?

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That's just fine. The general rule is 10 psi per 1,000 rpm. 5.0's will run forever under normal driving w/ 20 psi at idle. It's the 20 psi at 5,000 rpm that hurts things.