I have a 88 Cavalier Z24 convertible with a 2.8L V6 engine. When you first start out driving, the oil pressure is fine, reading between 40-50 lbs when driving 55mph or so, and about 35-40 lbs at idle. But as you keep driving it and the engine gets warmer, the oil pressure starts to drop. If you drive it for 45 min or so, the oil pressure will be down to 25 lbs or so, and even lower than that at idle, so low I even kick it in neutral and rev the engine up to 1500 rpms or so to get the pressure up to 15-20 lbs. If you shut it off and let it sit for a half hour or so, the pressure will be fine again when you start out, but drop the same way when driving. Sign the pump is failing or is there something that needs to be cleaned out? The oil is changed every 2500 miles or so and always use a new filter.
88 Cavalier Z24 Oil Pressure Question
- Thread starter NYWolff
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- cavalier mechanical oil pump
zora
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you have to hook up an external oil pressure gauge to determine if the pressure is really that low or the sender or gauge are defective. You dont mention how many miles on the engine but you could switch to a slightly higher viscosity oil, if you are using 5w30 use 10w30, etc.