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Thread: oil pressure wandering @ idle

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    South Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    245

    Unhappy oil pressure wandering @ idle

    I've got a 2001 LB7 with 278K miles. I'm starting to see the oil pressure gauge in the IPC "wandering" a bit at idle. At driving speeds, the gauge appears to be steady throughout the rpm range. When I'm idling (park, stopped in traffic, etc), the gauge is not always steady and drifts +/- 1 mark (max). I've been running Rotella 5W-40 T6 for years without problem and changed it (and filter) about 1,000 ago. Any possibility that the oil pump is showing it's age and possibly on its way out? (If so, how much of a PITA is it to change out?) Could it be the IPC itself?
    "Chessy56"
    So. Milwaukee, WI
    '01 2500HD, LB7, ~440K miles
    "Stock" engine. Dual fuel filtration system with Kennedy lift pump, BF Goodrich Commercial T/A Traction tires (sold to a dude from Texas- it's living a warmer life just fine down there now!).

    '17 2500HD, L5P (Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas to me!!!) Currently bone stock, 120K miles.

    "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and
    the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
    Winston Churchill

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13,573

    Arrow

    It could be the pump, but I really doubt it.

    It's much more likely the sender or the IPC.

    I haven't seen or heard of a pump failure, but plenty of IPC's, and one sender.
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    South Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    245

    Talking

    Thanks for the quick reply 'Maverick. I think I'll look at the sender first, as my guess it'll be the least costly attempt.
    "Chessy56"
    So. Milwaukee, WI
    '01 2500HD, LB7, ~440K miles
    "Stock" engine. Dual fuel filtration system with Kennedy lift pump, BF Goodrich Commercial T/A Traction tires (sold to a dude from Texas- it's living a warmer life just fine down there now!).

    '17 2500HD, L5P (Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas to me!!!) Currently bone stock, 120K miles.

    "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and
    the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
    Winston Churchill

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    South Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    245

    Thumbs up wandering oil PSI

    After receiving 'Maverick's reply, I found the following:

    http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=48886

    http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/inde...howtopic=95547

    Seems there's a way to replace the stepper motors that drive these gauges. PITA? Perhaps, but it's an option.....
    Feel free to comment on the feasibility.....
    "Chessy56"
    So. Milwaukee, WI
    '01 2500HD, LB7, ~440K miles
    "Stock" engine. Dual fuel filtration system with Kennedy lift pump, BF Goodrich Commercial T/A Traction tires (sold to a dude from Texas- it's living a warmer life just fine down there now!).

    '17 2500HD, L5P (Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas to me!!!) Currently bone stock, 120K miles.

    "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and
    the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
    Winston Churchill

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    New Hampshire - Live Free or Die
    Posts
    6,057

    Default

    Check for "extra" oil, or fuel in the oil.

    The stepper motor issue usually manifests itself differently; the gauge doesn't return to zero when shut off.
    The Constitution needs to be re-read, not re-written!

    If you can't handle Dr. Seuss, how will you handle real life?

    Current oil burners: MB GLK250 BlueTEC, John Deere X758
    New ride: MB GLS450 - most stately
    Gone but not forgotten: '87 F350 7.3, '93 C2500 6.5, '95 K2500 6.5, '06 K2500HD 6.6, '90 MB 350SDL, Kubota 7510

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    11,382

    Arrow

    A couple of things.... 1- During the summer months and hotter temps, the engine/oil will be warmer than it is during other months. A thinner oil allows oil pressure to respond faster due to changes in engine speed. 2- We've heard from quite a few owners through the years who reported some degree of idle surge, due largely to a less than perfect Fuel Pressure Regulator (FPR). GM says that less than a 100-rpm variation at idle is within a normal range of idle speed variation. A <100-rpm idle speed variation will produce a varying oil pressure at idle in response to changes to rpm. I've seen this in my truck, and I use the same oil as you.

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