Hello,

First time on the forums and car/camaro newbie so be gentle.

I have a 1998 V6 auto tran (with a brand new engine). I have two questions. First is when the engine is warmed up after having been driving for a while (20-30+ minutes) the oil pressure drops significantly while in idle/1st gear. It starts cold above the 60 mark on the meter, but drops to barely above the 20 mark during this time. When I accelerate or am constantly in motion, its back up at 60, but drops back down to barely +20 when it goes into 1st. Is this normal?

Second question. Im hearing a "thunk, thunk, thunk" sound from the front driver and passenger sides of the car when im turning. If im going strait it doesnt come. As soon as I turn the car, the rythmic thunk thunk comes. Ive been told by my dealer that there is nothing mechanically wrong with the car and he believes its because the tires are fubared since the car sat undriven for a year. I was just hoping for some confirmation before I buy all new tires.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Mike

 

Why not take it to another shop to get a free estimate to see what they say and compare notes...

 

hey!! Welcome. The oil pressure im not sure about but the "thunk, thunk, thunk" sounds like it could be a tie rod but im not completely sure.

 

There are a couple of things you may want to check. All engines will show less oil pressure at an idle then at speed, the oil pump is run off of the cam so as the engine needs more lubrication at higher RPM the oil pump is turning faster. I would make sure that that you don't have a lighter grade oil in the engine during the break in period, a common practice. I would also make sure that you have the proper weight oil for your weather conditions usually stated in the owners manual. When the oil is cold it is thicker and as a result it will show a higher pressure at that time and that is normal.
As far as the thunk noise I have to agree with Terry7208.