Ok so I'm out driving heading to do some test hits and the whole way (6 miles or so) my oil pressure is 50+ psi...I get to my destination bust off a few hits and my oil pressure goes to crap, first pass 30, second pass 20-10...so as I head back after seeing this it drops to 5psi to 0. I let off the throttle it goes back to 5-10...engine is not ticking or tapping or any abnormal noise...this is a mechanical gauge..and if I shut it down for 5 minutes then start it back up I have 50-60psi on the gauge.

Anyone have an idea on what this is?? A Sticking relief valve maybe?

 

This was the pressure after letting it idle for 10 minutes after letting it cool down for 5 mins from it bottoming out on 0

 

possibly a bad gauge?

 

Gauge is new..also pulled the line out the back to double check it was pushing oil..it was..and am getting oil to heads pulled valve covers and double checked.

 

How did things look under the valve cover? Was it all sludge up? I would drain the oil and see if there is sludge build up in the bottom of the oil pan.

 

Everything looked clean not a bit of sludge that is with fresh oil..maybe 20 miles on that oil change PF61e Delco filter on it.

 

My guess would be the valve in the oil pump or some sludge buildup. I would start by changing the oil and filter first to see if it changes anything.

 

Any kind of engine flush recommended? Oil and filter are new but I will change it again and report back.


Could that valve be hanging open during acceleration? Then when I shut her down everything returns to normal And the next start up oil pressure is normal?

 

If you had no oil pressure on the engine you would have heard it pretty quick I would think

 

Year make model?

If it's a dod motor check oil pressure at the filter and at the oil pressure sensor simultaneously. then go forward with diagnostics from there

If it's not a dod and a mechanical gauge shows 0 or less oil pump died o ring problem ets