Oil Pressure Issue?

[AirProE]

Ok, checked the forum and haven't seen anything like this. So I change my oil over from conventional to synthetic. My engine runs way better, but one thing I notice is that my oil pressure runs significantly lower according to the factory gauge. As such at idle it's prettttty low. Like on the first tick almost . Has anybody experienced this, is this a problem, or should I even worry? The oil is Mobil1 10w-30. Like I said, the engine runs fine, so I am just wondering if its the gauge, or the new stuff is just that different.


Peace,
Air

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by AirProE
Ok, checked the forum and haven't seen anything like this.

You have to do more than skim the surface.

So I change my oil over from conventional to synthetic.

And this was a good idea because of...... what? Advertising?

My engine runs way better,

Or, so you think. Which is about as good as reality.

but one thing I notice is that my oil pressure runs significantly lower according to the factory gauge.

Which is about as useful as wings on a trout. Stop thinking of it as a gauge, and as an idiot light with motion.

As such at idle it's prettttty low. Like on the first tick almost .

DSMs routinely bury the needle at idle. On the dead side. Idle oil pressure spec is on the order of 11psi. Of course, that's measured right at the pump outlet- somehow, Mits doesn't seem concerned with what the pressure is at the service end of the oiling system. Oh, and your overpriced factory sender is how many years old now? (In engine hours.)

Has anybody experienced this,

Only anyone who's driven a DSM, or craned their neck over from the passenger seat.

is this a problem,

Nope.

or should I even worry?

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. But not about oil pressure.

The oil is Mobil1 10w-30.

oooo, a rich person. Give me a call when you change it out at 3,000 miles, I'll pick it up and use it for the 10,000 remaining miles of service life.

Like I said, the engine runs fine,

Remain calm, this will pass.

so I am just wondering if its the gauge,

Yup. That, and a paucity of experience in using the (admittedly lame) search engine on this site.

or the new stuff is just that different.

Only in what they charged you for it, and how much more of its abilites aren't utilized in a street engine.

 

[AirProE]

Well, yes, I did use the search engine for a few hours and didn't turn up much. I did see the threads about the oil pressure and such, but nothing about oil switching and gauge changes. The reason for the switch is just my preference, based on some of the data I have seen and advice. As for engine smoothness, I could always take an accelerometer out there and measure frequency based on the different oils, but why? I figure I do know my engine well enough to know how it runs at various RPM. Sorry to bore you, but thanks for the help. And uh, yes, I am new, so sorry for the first "simplistic" post, but I only posted after searching the forums for a good time. Again, thanks for your help here, but please just don't kill off the new guys so quickly. I feel so flamed!

Peace,
--Air

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Ah dont worry about it, thats his way of saying theres nothing to worry about The only thing that was noticed when I switched my parents cars over to synthetic (royal purple) was better gas mileage (believe it or not I actually did the math ). Now is it worth the added cost for 2-3MPG (of 87 octane)? Hold on let me do the math ; OK my moms accord has a 16 gallon tank, so thats about 32-48 miles more per tank. Now she gets 24MPG so thats around 384 miles to each tank, lets say she fills up every 350. So pretty much she fills up 10 times between every oil change (I change it 3500 miles with synthetic haha its not my money my dad swears by that SHIT!!!) Anyway that means she gets 320 MORE miles between each oil change from using synthetic. Thats like a whole tank (~$20) of gas! So if you spend $4 a quart for 5 quarts, thats $20 each oil change, versus $5-10 for cheap oil, then all in all you "make" $10. So is it worth it? For a 1999 honda accord EX 4cyl auto with a combination of highway and city miles, it is. Now keep in mind, this isn't a turbo car, its completely stock, and driven VERY "nicely" (never over 80MPH, no sudden starts/stops/turns, shes still on the ORIGINAL 45K MILE TIRES!!!!!) so yea its probably not the same for a turbo DSM.

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by AirProE
thanks for your help here, but please just don't kill off the new guys so quickly. I feel so flamed!

I'll bet you live through it. My apologies, but I've only been through the "synthetic is _____" grinder a few dozen times by now.

And as you'll see, what you got is nothing. Wait'll a dealer gets hold of you.