Hi guys,

I have a 2004 5.3. Its got 162,000 miles. I swapped a small 212/218 low lift cam into it with LS6 springs. Stock oil pump, stock chain.

Recently I've noticed my oil pressure gauge will read only about 20psi on a cold start in 9°! Isn't that pretty low for a cold start??

Anyways, I can see the gauge going up and down between about 20 and 38psi until the engine is warmed up. After that, it sticks to about 40psi and goes up when I give her hell. Even stays at about 38-40 at idle. What does this sound like to you guys? Bearings? Oil pump? Clogged screen in the pickup tube? I use 5w-30 full synthetic.

 

I can also hear a slight chirp or squeak from under the hood. Not a squealing though. Might be belt or pulley. It is only about 10-20 degrees outside lately. If it helps barrow anything down, I've been getting he P0300 Misfire code every now and then since my cam swap. It usually comes on if the truck sits at idle for an extended period of time, though it can be very random. Maybe bad lifters?

 

Your tuner needs to turn off the p0300 code you will get it a lot from having a cam

What does the oil pressure go up to once it is warm? And how much when you rev it?

 

I had that same chirp for a short time till it ate a couple of lifters!

 

Well, after work on Friday my pressure was at 40 on cold start like normal and has been that way today as well. He pressure always goes up to 40 when its warmed up and when I give it gas, it climbs like it should. I'm confused with this thing lol

 

did you change the oil after the swap?

 

I did change the oil after my swap. That was a few thousand miles ago that I did the swap.

After dinkin around with my truck, I noticed that on cold start, if I rev it the pressure never moves. Once its warmed up though and I rev it, the pressure moves as normal. Any thoughts? Maybe the gasket on cam retainer plate? I reused it..

 

I've had a couple 6.0L's do that, low oil pressure cold. It was the o-ring on the oil pump pickup tube. Wouldn't seal when cold but was okay when warm.

Just a thought . . .

 

Any certain or special site or place I need to order that O-ring from? Might as well replace it and the retainer plate at the same time.

 

Okay I have a video I can upload later. In the video I'm in drive, idling at a light, engine fully warmed up. Pressure is between 20 and 40psi. I put it in neutral, then give it gas, it goes up to 40.

to me that seems wrong. And it was only at 40psi at 70mph for 40 miles. I feel like it should be about 40 at idle and go up from there. Thoughts?