oil pressure question?

[2002 v6 camaro uncharged]

Is it normal for the oil pressure to drop a little below 30PSI when at idle? Also sometimes at idle the gauge will bounce and then steady out and then bounce again. Under acceleration and cruise it sits at about 50 to 55PSI.

[BLLDOGG]

its fine to be around 30psi at idle and its fine to be around 55 when accelerating or crusing. mine bounces sometimes and i have not come across any type of effects.

[terminaldegree]

Now, blldogg knows more than I do, but I remember seeing a spec that says that [approximately, anyway] the 3.8 series 2 is supposed to make a minimum 60 psi at like 1850 rpm. Both of those numbers seems on the low side of normal for this engine. Of course, our gauges aren't the most accurate thing in the world.

[BLLDOGG]

Originally posted by terminaldegree:
the 3.8 series 2 is supposed to make a minimum 60 psi at like 1850 rpm.

you right but with normal wear, a leak, thinned oil because of incorrect weight or age... its going to lower the pressure. i wouldnt worry about running around 55psi. Now that he know the specs, he can make the decission to try and diagnose a problem but its something i wouldnt want to chase at work. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ November 30, 2005, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: BLLDOGG ]