i have been having some issues with My oil gauge lately reading to high. 100+ PSI to be exact. i replaced the sending unit still had the same problem after some testing it looks to be a problem with the Cluster. but i still don't know what the oil pressures are suppose to be for this 98 Camaro with the 3.8L V6. using a Mechanical oil pressure tester connected directly to the engine port i am getting the following readings. with the engine cold at 55 degrees F i am getting about 62 PSI at idle, and about 74 PSI at 4,000 RPM, when the engine is hot. about 210 degrees F i am getting about 32 PSI at idle, and 64 PSI at 4,000 RPM. averaging about 65 PSI wile driving at highway speeds. at highways speeds the engine cools to about 180 degrees F. so the pressures increase a little. i have no idea what the normal factory specification is. are these pressures good?

 

The rule of thumb is a minimum of 5 PSI at idle, and 10 PSI every 1000 RPM, up to the relief valve setting. Oil pressure varies with oil temperature, oil viscosity, engine speed, bearing clearance, oil pump condition, oil filter, and various other things, and because of all the variables there is no set value. Check the pressure with a mechanical test gage before jumping to conclusions.

 

Mine runs between 55 and 60 when I am on the highway. I have not had it spike over 70 though.

 

Your oil pressure is fine, higher then most be well within the factory limits. As the motor wears it will drop. Your readings is what I would hope to have on a new rebuild.

 

My engine has 141,000 miles on it. If it's higher then most at that mileage wouldn't that be a sign of oil deposited building up internally? I wonder about that because I am starting to hear a tick or knock when hot. Sounds like a lifter. It's very slight, you can hardly hear it. But it's there. I was thinking about doing a flush and switching to full synthetic just to be safe. Would that be a good idea? Or would I be eating my time?

 

This is SUPER silly, but how often are you changing your oil? If you drive the car hard, the oil will thin out and you will get the exact sound you are talking about. Happened to me in my 95 V6. Switch to a synthetic with a little higher viscosity. See if that helps. You also might have to adjust the valve lash. Let us know how it goes.


x01660

 

Changed the oil a few weeks ago. I stay on top of it.

 

Have to remember that the stock gauges aren't very accurate...

 

check the wires going to your oil pressure sending unit. have seen loose frayed or burnt wires cause this. also use dielectric grease on the connectors when you plug it back in.