I instaled an Autometer oil pressure gauge today and after warm up it only reads about 10psi at 600rpm! But when I am under load it reads a good 55 to 70psi. Is that normal?
The computer ups the pressure when under load so you dont wreck the engine by to less of pressure.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
sorry, i ment is the 10psi at idle ok?
Depends on the weight of the oil i have a 2000 with a 2200 engine with 180k on it and i run 20W50 and when hot it holds about 25 pounds pressure at idle. when cold about 40
mine does the same thing..i get around the 65 range when i accelerating and its warm and about 10 or 15 when its idling..i used 5-30...phil
Iam at 70 to 75mph on the highway reads about 57 to 60. and when hot at idle about 25. But again iam running 20W50 i live in florida. Everything i have read about the engine it should hold 59 pounds pressure at 3K RPM. Mine is a 5Speed. Also a Auto will read less at idle hot mine is at 900RPM at idle so 15 maybe right for a auto in gear
yea, i just read a gm manual and it says 15psi at 900rpm so im guessing 10 at 600rpm is ok.
im using mobil one 5w30
Quote:
Depends on the weight of the oil i have a 2000 with a 2200 engine with 180k on it and i run 20W50 and when hot it holds about 25 pounds pressure at idle. when cold about 40
What the hell ???? Kiss that crankshaft good buy. Why stop at 20W50. AutoZone has some 75W140 gear oil you could use? If you have 25psi at idle when warm you are working that oil pump WAAAAAYY too hard! But I'm sure you knew that.
Quote:
I instaled an Autometer oil pressure gauge today and after warm up it only reads about 10psi at 600rpm! But when I am under load it reads a good 55 to 70psi. Is that normal?
Yes that is the normal operating pressures for the 2200 engine. As your crank spins faster the pressure will raise to meet the demand for lube that the head will need.
Tach Out Motorsport
Http://www.team-tachout.com/
Falmouth,VA
Phlatcav wrote:yea why 20w50?
Exactly what I was thinking.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Yea 20W50 may seam high but with the temp here. Running 5W 30 the pressure was 15 pounds at idle. Also with the miles that the engine has on it with the high heat and stop and go traffic. But this is also a personal preferance i know other may not aggree with this weight of oil but it works for me and after 180 thousand miles on it have noted no problems at all.
but i always thought what the factory uses in the engine was good enough; hey Aarron i was thinking about an oil temperature gauge for my car instead of a pressure gauge. so what happens when it turns cold again what weight do you use then. And Art Luther i'm stationed out in 29 palms, cali where temperature here is like 115 degrees average, would that weight motor oil be good for mine?
My 97 2.2 idles at 7psi with mobil 1 10w30. Event said his idles right around there too. Both of us have auto's.
Zach wrote:My 97 2.2 idles at 7psi with mobil 1 10w30. Event said his idles right around there too. Both of us have auto's.
What a relief! I thought that mine was going funny. I get:
5-15psi idle warm
40-75psi driving
This is Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W30
Jay
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Yeah, mine will dip down to a scary 5psi (lowest line on my gauge) when I've been running like 85mph down the interstate for 20 miles or so.
Rob S wrote:The computer ups the pressure when under load so you dont wreck the engine by to less of pressure.
How about when the engine rpm increases the pump turns faster until the relief valve kicks in, computer has no control over oil pressure.
