Low Oil Pressure

Post by **float_6969** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:53 pm

OK, so I've had low oil pressure since I rebuilt the motor a couple of years ago. I didn't know it was low until about a year ago when I got an oil pressure gauge. I discovered an oil leak at the head about the same time, so I assumed they were correleated and just tried to drive the car as little as possible. I recently replaced the HG, expecting to have fixed the problem. It seems to have helped it, but it's still not right. It is about 12psi @ idle but I'm only running about 40psi @ 3K RPM. The FSM states that it should be about 11psi @ idle and 51-60psi @ 3K RPM.

I might just think that my gauge is off, but I have a problem with the lifters ticking and they're all new and still do it.

If I don't have any other oil leaks, what could make the oil pressure this low? Is there any way to increase the oil pressure? I've got a KA oil pump and it looks like it's got some sort of internal spring to regulate pressure. If the CA is like this, couldn't I install a stiffer spring?

Any idea's welcome guys, thanks.

Post by **chicos240** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:03 pm

Dude, I just went through the same thing. My issue was simple, I didnt torque the bolts on the oil pickup to 12ftlbs. I took of the steel pan, torqued...and voila..

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:38 am

Thanks, I'll try that this weekend!

Any other idea's?

Post by **The_Chosen_One** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:08 am

what weight oil you using?

Post by **r34 gtr** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:56 am

Mine has always had sort of odd oil pressure. I get about 15-20psi at idle, and only about 50psi at 3500rpm. Still, when I stomp it the pressure screams up past about 80psi so I just havnt worried about it. It also takes 5 seconds or so after starting for my gauge to tell me Ive built up oil pressure. I dont know if its the engine or the autofail gauge, but its a bit wierd.

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:02 pm

The_Chosen_One wrote:what weight oil you using?

10-40w

Post by **The_Chosen_One** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:07 pm

hmm your running a heavy weight oil so your fine in that department.

Generally the rule of thumb I heard when it comes to oil pressure is 11-20psi at idle and for every 1k rpms add 10psi. So honestly I think your ok. Could also be your autometer gauge cause mine sucks.

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:13 pm

I've considered that, but why can't I get the lifters to stop ticking?

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:13 pm

And they're completely silent when the oil is cold and the pressure is high.

Post by **adam-gtX** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:49 pm

this could be completely wrong but, lash adjustment?

Post by **kapower06** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:20 pm

It sounds like your pump is taking a **** on you to be honest. And the lifters are ticking because of that issue. I was getting 18-20psi on HOT idle, and around 65-70psi on 3.3krpm or so. And would almost get up to 85-90psi up around 7500rpm. I can send you that oil pump for cheap if you want to try it. Give my $25 for shipping and if it fixes your problem, agree to send me another $50? lemme know, becuase if your lifters are ticking I would be scared the mains and rods are close to knocking on you....

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:31 pm

adam-gtX wrote:this could be completely wrong but, lash adjustment?

They're hydraulic lifters. There is no adjustment.

kapower06 wrote:It sounds like your pump is taking a **** on you to be honest. And the lifters are ticking because of that issue. I was getting 18-20psi on NOT idle, and around 65-70psi on 3.3krpm or so. And would almost get up to 85-90psi up around 7500rpm. I can send you that oil pump for cheap if you want to try it. Give my $25 for shipping and if it fixes your problem, agree to send me another $50? lemme know, becuase if your lifters are ticking I would be scared the mains and rods are close to knocking on you....

It better not be. It's a brand new oil pump from Nissan. I used to get multiple lifters ticking, but after changing the HG, I've just got one that does it now. I'm wondering if it's just messed up because the pressure has been low, but I don't think it works that way.

I'm going to pull the pan this weekend and see what I see. If the Main and Rod bearing clearences are still in spec, don't show any unusual wear, the screen and pick up are clear, and the pickup gasket seems to be seated OK, I'll pull the pump and take it apart and see if there is something wrong internally. If I can't find anything wrong, then I'll contact you and try your pump.

If I do find something out of what, I'll update this thread.

Post by **r34 gtr** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:32 pm

When I stomp it past about 4k rpm, I can peg the gauge. Is that normal? or a bit high? If its not normal I blame autometer. Ryan, Ive got an extra lifter or two in good shape if you want to try replacing that one.

Post by **float_6969** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:32 pm

r34 gtr wrote:When I stomp it past about 4k rpm, I can peg the gauge. Is that normal? or a bit high? If its not normal I blame autometer. Ryan, Ive got an extra lifter or two in good shape if you want to try replacing that one.

What does your gauge go to (in psi)? I'm not sure which one it is. I'm quite sure it's a pressure problem though, because I used to have like 3/4 that made noise, and now it's only 1.

The oil pan comes off tomorrow and I'll you guys know what I find.

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:25 pm

Well I figured it out guys. It was the O-ring for the oil pick up. I'll let the pictures do the explaining. It was pretty brittle. The only thing I can think is that when I rebuilt the motor, I must have missed it somehow and didn't put a new one in.

Oddly, the oil pressure didn't come up much, but the lifters are completely quiet now. It much have been sucking air at that point and aerating the oil.

Post by **ragenasian** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:05 pm

Hey float hate to crap in your thread but I have sent you emails concerning that 4 port head. I have found another one and sent you and the other dude an email with no response. I need to know ASAP if either one of you want this thing. The dollar is dropping daily so the longer either of you wait the more expensive this thing gets. Send me an email!!!

Post by **kapower06** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:17 am

glad to hear that you found the problem. did you get an increase in pressure though?

Post by **float_6969** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:11 am

ragenasian wrote:Hey float hate to crap in your thread but I have sent you emails concerning that 4 port head. I have found another one and sent you and the other dude an email with no response. I need to know ASAP if either one of you want this thing. The dollar is dropping daily so the longer either of you wait the more expensive this thing gets. Send me an email!!!

The email never made it. I'll email you right now...

Post by **float_6969** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:14 am

kapower06 wrote:glad to hear that you found the problem. did you get an increase in pressure though?

No, not really. Maybe 5 psi? The resolution on the gauge isn't that fine, so it's hard to tell really.

Post by **bias** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:50 am

float_6969 wrote:And they're completely silent when the oil is cold and the pressure is high.

Ok so what if they tick on start up and quiet down after a few seconds? Do I need another oil pump or could it be that same o-ring? I'm running full synthetic 10w40?

Post by **r34 gtr** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:22 am

A little tick at startup is fine. Unless it does it for an extended period of time don't worry about it. If it does it when the car is warm though, you might check it out in a little more detail.

Post by **float_6969** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:39 pm

I forgot about this thread.

I've still got 2 ticking lifters. They'll do it shortly when I first start the car up, then quit until the car warms up. The lifter noise is directly related to oil pressure. The warmer the car gets, the lower the oil pressure gets, and the more the lifters tick.

Post by **bias** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:38 am

So would it be bad to add something to the oil to stop the tick like, http://www.barsproducts.com/1000.htm I have used it on NA cars but never turbo. It seemed to do a good job.

Post by **float_6969** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:58 pm

I've tried everything to get the lifters to quiet up. I may try replacing them all again now that I've fixed the HG.

Post by **r34 gtr** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:31 am

My lifters only tick right on startup, I didnt know you guys were complaining about them making noise when the car was warm. Also, my engine doesnt seem to make oil pressure until it is revved sharply. It will sit there and rap until I do so. Think it could be the same problem as you had? I too neglected that o-ring when I rebuilt the motor. Once the oil pressure shoots up, I have fantastic pressure. Ive usually got the gauge pegged way past 100psi until the car is totally warm, where I see 25psi at idle, and 65 or so at 3k rpm. When you stomp it, the pressure screams up to 90-100psi. Its never bothered me, but it doesnt sound like its making oil pressure as quickly as it should.

Low Oil Pressure

Low Oil Pressure

Re: Low Oil Pressure (float_6969)

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