*sigh* lack of oil pressure

[Turbo. Targa. Life.]

Well as the title states I'm experiencing a serious lack of oil pressure over here. I haven't had any time to crawl under/around the damn thing lately because of work. I'm at around 3psi idle, and around 16-19 anywhere above 2k. Oil pressure doesn't rise much after 2k.

What would a common problem of pressure loss be?

Here's what I'm thinking:
Pump
Rod bearing (god help me) it's not knocking though...

It's NOT a BHG (before you say it). No oil in the coolant or vice versa, I've check about 200 times since the loss of oil pressure.

Any help at all is GREATLY appreciated

 

[gixxer750]

Broken Spring in pump bypass or cooler bypass...

 

[starscream5000]

Is the oil pump still the original one that came with the car?

 

[trydrew]

That's what mine is to the tee. Of course I have very loose rod bearing clearences. I replaced the oil pump because i thought it was a relief valve spring. I even shimmed it but I saw no increase in pressure. (I dont know why I didnt replace the bearing(s) here...) The way I see it, there is no more oil down there that can create pressure.

At the time of the oil pump swap, there was a vavle tick, which I fixed. Soon after, a new tick emerged but was only there at low rpms, or below 2200. It was not at all a knock. In recent days, it has grown louder. I have ceased driving her.

I dont know what to tell you. I guess, pull the pan (bottom, or pull the motor, your choice) and check your oil pump, and see if you rods have excessive play on the crank journal.

BTW, didnt you just rebuild?

 

[Nick M]

As the engine bearings were due to OEM oil systems, the resistance to flow drops. Resistance to flow is pressure.

You could have a delivery problem, but I doubt it.

 

[Turbo. Targa. Life.]

Naw Drew, I didn't rebuild, I bought b005t3d's motor from him before everyone else started having problems with him. Unfortunately he sold me a motor that was not as described and yadda yadda yadda (has nothing to do with the oil issue).

I'm hoping it's as simple as the pump, but whatever the case may be, I've got all weekend to work on her--35psi here I come again!

 

[chriso]

Are you going by the stock oil gauge. If so, tap in a know working aftermarket gauge to confirm the pressure. Just wondering since my stock gauge doesn't check out as accurate.

 

[Supracentral]

My questions:

What brand and grade of oil are you using?
What's the outside temp where you are?
The PSI readings are "hot" engine readings, correct?
If so, what are the "cold" engine readings?
What device are you using to measure oil pressure?

 

[jason7mgte]

sounds like my car 40 psi cold idel after it warms about 5 ish 10-30 oil in 60 * temps as of now. No bhg oil always changed I have 1 small valve tap that has been there for ever. Even the yota delaership says thats normal. no loss of performance , no smoke, never uses 1 drop of oil. I am ok with just running the piss out of it till something flies apart then I'll know whats broken. Or maybe i'll kick myself in the ash for not figuring it out. If anyone is local and wants to check it out I'd be more than happy to buy you a few beers or something.

 

[suprarich]

I had low oil pressure once in a car I just purchased, after pulling the pan, i come to find that the sump screen was plugged nearly solid with rtv gasket sealer pieces and sludge. Stupid previous owner. i like arrons idea to do first, there is a small oil port just behind the turbo oil drain tube where it goes to the block, I would screw a mechanical pressure tester there to check against the factory electrical one.

 

[Turbo. Targa. Life.]

My questions:

What brand and grade of oil are you using?
What's the outside temp where you are?
The PSI readings are "hot" engine readings, correct?
If so, what are the "cold" engine readings?
What device are you using to measure oil pressure?

1.Mobil 1 15-50

2.Umm...well it kinda varies by the hour. It's been around 45-60*f lately

3.Yes, hot.

4.Cold readings are around 12-14 psi right at engine crank, and they slowly drop to around 3psi once the engine is fully warmed up

5.Stock gauge to measure. Already planning on grabbing an aftermarket gauge tomorrow morning though

I plan on checking the screen, too. Hopefully it's not a spun bearing *prays*

~BrandoN~

PS--I guess it would've helped to throw in a little more information. This whole dilemna started after a night of running the car pretty hard, and it also developed an oil leak that same night. Related?--me thinks so. I'm hoping it's just a pickup line or something stupid. Tomorrow will be the first time I've had a chance to crawl under it, so updates will follow. Thanks for all the advice everyone