dangerously low oil pressure at idle?
#1
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 112

Hey guys, well after the engine gets warmed up in my 1994 S15, the oil pressure seems to be very low according to the gauge when idling, like a stop lights. Here's a picture of it idling with my foot off the gas:

and here's a picture of the gauge after lightly pressing the gas pedal

Is that normal? Maybe the mesh on the oil pickup is dirtied up? What do you guys think? Thanks!

and here's a picture of the gauge after lightly pressing the gas pedal

Is that normal? Maybe the mesh on the oil pickup is dirtied up? What do you guys think? Thanks!
#2
Starting Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Council Bluffs Iowa
Posts: 197

Could be crap in the pick up. My wifes taurus did that. Could be bad bearings, that is what my K1500 did. When the cam bearings went.
#3
my 89 does the same thing i thought it was just a faulty gauge or a bad sensor.
Last edited by Qumodo; 12-25-2009 at 11:13 PM.
#4
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 112

Should I be worried about it? The truck shakes just a little at idle if that makes a difference. Should I drop the oil pan and clean it out?
#5
i haven't had a chance to check on mine yet but i wouldn't be terribly worried about it as long as you have the proper amount of oil in there. make sure you don't have any serious leaks, its most likely a bad pressure sensor. im going to replace my sensor this weekend i'll let you know if that fixes it, its not an expensive part anyway. the sensor is usually located next to the oil filter but like i said i haven't had a chance to look yet. will keep you posted.
add: just looked on autozone.com $22 buck for the part here is the link.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...&parentId=53-0
add: just looked on autozone.com $22 buck for the part here is the link.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...&parentId=53-0
Last edited by Qumodo; 12-25-2009 at 11:24 PM.
#6
Starting Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Council Bluffs Iowa
Posts: 197

UR 4x4 right pita to drop pan but if you gonna drop the pan and clean it out might as well change the pump while ur in there, but i read some were that 7lb is all you need at idle.
#7
When in doubt, connect a mechanical pressure gauge to the pressure sending unit and compare the two gauge readings.
#8
New Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: lower Alabama
Posts: 3

I changed to hiflow oil pump and get 35 at idle and up to 65 running
#9
That's good, but a standard oil pump will do the same.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,178

My 89 S15 Jimmy does the exact same thing. I have a new sending unit and replacement oil pressure gage and no changes. If I ever decide to pull the pan which requires pulling the engine I will install a high volume oil pump. I am not concerned about though.
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