Car Loses Oil Pressure

[DYNAMIKO]

My car starts up with an oil pressure reading of 60 and it grdually loses all oil pressure after it reaches operating temperature. I did a search and I found out it could be the oil pressure sending unit, oil pump, or oil filter being cloged. So, I changed the oil, filter and oil pressure sending unit. It still loses oil pressure. Do I need to reset the computer with the oil pressure sending unit, or what am I doing wrong? When I did the search I got that it couldn't be the oil pump or else I would have no oil pressure to begin with. Somebody please help, any information would be greatly appreciated.

[WickEdSix9838]

Thats normal. The oil gets hot and gets thinner therefore making it flow easier through the oil passages and having less oil pressure.

[i_love_my_maro]

It could still be the pump. There is a relief spring that could be stuck slightly open. you also have to remember that your oil pump spins in relation to the engine rpm. so if your pressure is jumping when you give it gas then it is normal

[DYNAMIKO]

I know its normal for oil pressure to go down a little, but not all of the pressure down to the red. When it hits the red I turn it off, wait a minute, crank it up and then it goes up to about 40, but i get some oil pressure back. It comes back but with a ticking noise that goes away within seconds. And if i keep driving it I'll lose pressure again but in shorter periods. It has never stalled out on me in the red.

Thank You, for your replies [img]smile.gif[/img]

[i_love_my_maro]

If it were me i would locate the pump take off the hoses and spin it by hand if oil comes shooting out then it isn't the pump and it is something else.

[DYNAMIKO]

Is that something I could do or should I take it to a mechanic. Where should i start looking for the oil pump? Is there a hose coming out of it and how hard is it to replace the oil pump?

[i_love_my_maro]

On the volvo i just did the belt was on the front of the engine and you had to pull the engine to replace it. When i get home from work i will check my car and find the pump. You could check it your self but unless you are mechanicly inclined you should probably take it to a mechanic.

[RallyRed 98]

oil pump is integrated with the front cover... GM PN 24502241.

will not need to pull the engine, but you will need to pull the belt, water pump pulley, balancer, crank bolt, etc... not really an afternoon job if this is your first or second try at it.

[Rob Bell]

Anytime you have an oil pressure-related problem, you need to hook up a mechanical gauge to verify that it is actually the sender/gauge system and not the actual oiling system that has a problem. If the mechanical gauge shows nice even oil pressure, then you know it's just a gauge or sending unit. If the mechanical gauge acts like the electrical one, then you've got an engine problem that needs to be addressed.