Oil pressure and operating temp

[Netstar1]

Hey all,

Random question but what operating temp and oil pressure is "normal" on the dash gauges?

Reason I ask is I've never really paid attention until I had some issues now I watch them like a hawk. I'm not standard 112 blower, headers, cats and x pipe and WP rest of exhaust.

Im sure norm/operating temp was 110 and idle oil pressure was about 3 on the gauge.

Noticed today after drive home idle temp has touched 130 at times but was steady at 120 and oil pressure as low as 2.

Can anyone settle my paranoid mind?

Thanks all

[ARAF]

The pressure has dropped because the oil is hot - that is normal. However, oil starts to break down at that sort of temperature. First port of call is to check that you have enough oil in it.

[Aitch 'H']

As Araf says, oil pressure has dropped because the oil gets thinner as it gets hot. As long as it's got enough in it nothing to worry about. Check your level but sounds like it's fine

[Netstar1]

Thank you gentlemen! Much appreciated.

[minime68]

When you say 3 or 2 on the gauge, are you referring to PSI? Not to freak you out but if you are seeing 2psi oil pressure you have a problem. The minimum pressure your engine should ever see is 6psi per GM. Obviously at startup you may momentarily see it a 2 psi for a split second before pressure builds but that's about it.

Yes, when oil gets hot you will see a drop in pressure as the oil flows more freely. But as I mentioned before, there is a minimum pressure threshold.

[ARAF]

minime68 said:

When you say 3 or 2 on the gauge, are you referring to PSI? Not to freak you out but if you are seeing 2psi oil pressure you have a problem. The minimum pressure your engine should ever see is 6psi per GM. Obviously at startup you may momentarily see it a 2 psi for a split second before pressure builds but that's about it.

Yes, when oil gets hot you will see a drop in pressure as the oil flows more freely. But as I mentioned before, there is a minimum pressure threshold.

Nothe gauges on these are not in psi. It's kPa or similar, and 2 at idle when warm would be correct as would 5 when cold at 3k revs. 7 would be off the gauge, and is the point at which your dipstick tries to exit through the bonnet.

[Netstar1]

Yeah as Araf said, not PSI. Thankfully!

Thanks all

[vxr2010]

oil temp wise , I believe the gauge is not accurate ? , mine reads between 110 and 125 on a hot day if it's pushed a bit it will go over 125 is that normal ? I've never had a warning come up

[leigh1050]

The temperature gauge isn't that accurate. 125degrees isn't much to worry about.

[Glyn84]

The quality of your oil will also depend on what temps it can take before breaking down. In my experience from racing the lower quality oils (even fully synth ones) started to break down over time when they regularly saw 120/130c, where the high quality stuff from Millers, Fuchs, Gulf etc can sit at these temps all day every day.

[vxr2010]

I use MF for servicing so they use royal purple which is respected good brand , on my Subaru Sti oil guage goes to about 95 or so degrees c , then the oil cooler does its stuff I'm surprised no oil coolers fitted on Ls engines considering how hot they run , plus the added inaccuracy of a guage showing temps I would not have thought good for an oil , I looked at oil guages I'm not doing one plus the cost of them is not apparently not cheap