Low Oil Pressure - Bad Oil Pump??

[izeljic]

When I start the cold car the oil pressure gauge goes to about 6 (3/4 up) and it holds fine. After driving it for about 15-20 minutes it drops to below 2 at idle (almost minimum) and it's scaring me!!! Oil level is fine and the car does not smoke. Any suggestions before I order a new oil pump?

[slyalfa]

Try a new sender. but mine has been that way for as long as I have had the car.
mobel 1 seem to help a lot. but I think the oil gets too hot. what oil do you use?
I just pulled mine moter out 230K or so and the pump looks good. but the bearings were worn some but over all evry thing was in very good shape.

[izeljic]

Hi Slyalfa, thanks for the info, last oil change 300 miles ago with Valvoline 10W30, I was scared of switching to synthetic oil at such high mileage. If you think that it's a good idea I'll try the synthetic next time. Thanks.

[slyalfa]

10W30 is vey light it seem that most of us run 20W50
when switching to synthetic check the oil a lot it has a lot of cleaners and you might need to change at 500 or 1000 miles due to all the crud it cleans out.
the first time I ran synthetic the oil turnd black in no time. after a few changes then it would stay clear.

[Alfisto Steve]

You can use Castrol SynBlend 20w50. Have used it for 10 years have 185,000 on original engine. Still have about 20 psi hot at idle and 55 or so at speed.

Senders usually go bad long before engine will.

[Grant]

The oil senders on Milanos are known to be problematic. It's only a $30 part but the acess is horrible. You pretty much have to make a tool out of a thin bent wrench to get to it. It's at the BACK of the block in between the V.

I've had "low" oil pressures in both my Verde and my Gold. Jus tmake sure the oil pressure light doesn't go on. That's a seperate system and if you see that, you're boned.

[Graham D]

Quote:

Jus tmake sure the oil pressure light doesn't go on. That's a seperate system and if you see that, you're boned.