High/low and otherwise scary oil pressure [Merged 3-9]

[Bluefire16]

Ok so ive read a number of different threads but have not come up with much. I have checked my connection to my pressure regulator and the switch. I have connected it and disconnected it, talked to 3 different people. One is currently attending a mechanic school, the other works at a quick lube, and lastly another is a respected dsm member with 3 different dsm's with 450whp each. I have spoken to all of them and have not come up with much, here are the pics. THe first one, oil pressure when car is warm and just sitting and idling. THe second is on the highway going 70mph. It drops soon as im off the gas. I understand my oil pressure should not be this high, any reasons why?
[URL=http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oil2xg2.jpg]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

[/URL]
[URL=http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oilvq3.jpg]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

[/URL]

 

[Dsmx17]

Ok, I have checked and rechecked everything. I totally rebuilt the motor used all new OEM parts. Now when the car reaches warm, at idle I show 0 oil pressure. I have a electronic oil gage and it seems to correspond with the stock oil gage (which we all know is garbage). As soon as I hit the gas it jumps righ up to where it should be.

My biggest problem is I keep burning up the bearings in the turbo. I have had it rebuilt three times! Every time I get it back they are telling me its not getting enough oil. I am using a -3 from the OFH. Turbo is a turbonetics journal bearing turbo. I have a -10 return line.

I have tried warming up the car and disconnecting the turbo oil supply line and I do get flow at idle. I also disconnected the drain line and do get oil draining.

What could be causing my Low oil pressure?

Balance shafts have been removed and front bearing was rotated.

Electronic gauges have the tendency to go through sending units, borrow a mechanical gauge, recheck the pressure.

Bearings are not the issue.

 

[mitsu_matt]

Bearings are not the issue.

Actually Bearing are the issue. I keep frying them.

 

[knochgoon24]

Have you checked to see if the piston for the oil pressure relief valve moves freely?

 

[mitsu_matt]

Have you checked to see if the piston for the oil pressure relief valve moves freely?

I did take it apart and clean it, it seemed to be fine. But isnt that only for high-oil pressure problems?

 

[Dsmx17]

Actually Bearing are the issue. I keep frying them.

he was talking about engine bearings, not turbo bearings.

 

[Dsmx17]

I did take it apart and clean it, it seemed to be fine. But isnt that only for high-oil pressure problems?

Yes.

 

[knochgoon24]

I did take it apart and clean it, it seemed to be fine. But isnt that only for high-oil pressure problems?

Yes.

No.

If it hangs open, you won't have pressure at idle. It doesn't have to be hung open much. Then, as soon as you rev the engine, you get enough oil flow that you build pressure.

But if you've cleaned it and it seems to be working fine, look elsewhere.

 

[99rtguy]

well, if bearings arent the problem what else would cause low oil pressure at idle and normal pressure afterwards? especially since there are no balance shafts? maybe there is something else on this motor i dont know about that will cause low oil pressure besides the pressure relief. but sounds like engine bearing clearances a bit too great

 

[MichaelSuch]

Just installed a new prosport gauge, it reads 20 psi at idle, sometimes it will drop to 14-15, but normally it sits around 20psi. When free-revving to about 1800 rpms it jumps up to about 40 psi and when going down the highway at 60 mph (2500 rpms) its around 70psi. While at WOT past 3000 rpms its over 100...

What kind of oil pressure should I be shooting for? I just rebuilt the engine (oil pump was fine so it wasn't replaced), the rod bearings were very tight, around .001" and the mains were around .003". Balance shafts are still in there.

15 psi during idle seems fine, but why does it shoot up so quickly if I barely rev it any higher? I feel that porting the relief valve would make the oil pressure below the value that I wanted it at.

Also I'm using cheap 10W-30 oil... Engine has around 3000 miles on it thus far.

 

[gsxeclipse102]

Ok, I have checked and rechecked everything. I totally rebuilt the motor used all new OEM parts. Now when the car reaches warm, at idle I show 0 oil pressure. I have a electronic oil gage and it seems to correspond with the stock oil gage (which we all know is garbage). As soon as I hit the gas it jumps righ up to where it should be.

My biggest problem is I keep burning up the bearings in the turbo. I have had it rebuilt three times! Every time I get it back they are telling me its not getting enough oil. I am using a -3 from the OFH. Turbo is a turbonetics journal bearing turbo. I have a -10 return line.

I have tried warming up the car and disconnecting the turbo oil supply line and I do get flow at idle. I also disconnected the drain line and do get oil draining.

What could be causing my Low oil pressure?

Balance shafts have been removed and front bearing was rotated.

Did you rotate BOTH front balance shaft bearings ? Are you sure theyre rotated enough to cover oil holes. You can always shim the pressure relief valve to see if it improves the oil pressure.