Oil Pressure Dipping down to 10PSI, goes up to 75PSI.

[sui_winbolo]

Recently my oil pressure has been dipping down to 10 PSI idle, I'm not sure how long this has going down since I've never paid too much attention to my oil pressure gauge. But recently I've been watching it because I accidentally drained my battery by leaving on the interior light, so I was just looking to at the gauges and I saw the needle falling fast down to 10 psi. So I get on it a bit and it goes up to 50 psi. Getting on it fully when in park brings it up to 75 psi.


Is there a serious issue going on here? What do you think it could be? I don't know anything about cars, but I think that can't be right. My dad is calling our local mechanic to see what he has to say and to see if he wants us to bring it in. But I'd like to know some more info about what could be going on.

 

[SBCregal]

I thought at one point I heard someone say that 10psi for every 1000rpm is a decent guideline. Not 100% sure but if I'm wrong I'm sure someone here wil correct me.

Ryan

 

[82355supreme]

You're fine. Yes, the 10psi/1,000 RPMS is correct. This is why in my opinion & alot of good engine builders opinions, that a high volume oil pump for street use is not necessary.

My pressure drops to 5-10 lbs at idle when the oil is hot & 60 psi at 5,500 RPM.

 

[sui_winbolo]

Phew, that's a load off my mind. My dad will still probably call about it, but at least it makes me feel better about it! haha.

Now I hope my battery has enough juice to turn over my car. We jump started it and ran for 15 minutes, than I drove around for another 10 minutes. I'm not sure if that's enough, but I hope it is. If not, we have to find a battery charger >_< I feel like a moron for leaving that damn light on!

 

[Chevyman85]

Yeah it is typical to drop oil PSI like that. I have a high volume pump on my small block and the first time it dropped down to 5 PSI on me I freaked out. It's typical though. I've put together a couple motors and they all have done that. Most cars today don't have "real" gauges. They have a gauge that is activated off of a switch. At a certain PSI it moves to either high or low. Since you have mechinical gauges your getting an acurate read out. Don't worry about it, I wouldn't bother calling a tech about it.

 

[sui_winbolo]

Thanks for the information, it helps a lot!