Low oil pressure

[Blzr6.2'83]

At idle when it is warm my engine has about 10-15 psi oil pressure. I replaced the oil pump and changed the oil a few times and use rotella t 15w40. I need to make this engine last about a year longer, until I can build a new engine. Can I get any oil additives to help this? Could something else cause this besides bearing wear?

[Peter J. Bierman]

How accurate is your gauge?
First double check with a seperate gauge to be sure yours is correct.
Next, I think 15 PSI at hot idle should be enough.
You will probably have like 45 to 50 at 1000 RPM.
GM manual says 10psi hot at idle and 40 to 45 average hot at 2000rpm.
So I guess if your gauge is right, the pressure is within specs.
:D
Peter

[Blzr6.2'83]

It is a mechanical gauge so I am pretty sure it is accurate. It is also only a year old,, but has always had low pressure. When I am driving on the freeway it only gets to be around 35 psi and that is driving at around 75. Is there an oil additive for diesels or will any be fine?

[humding]

My engine was rebuilt by the diesel depot a few months ago. Oil pressure varies from 8-9 PSI hot idle to 75-80 PSI from cold start

[JeepSJ]

Worn bearings, worn pump, plugged filter, plugged cooler, contaminated oil. These can all lead to low pressure. Idle pressure looks OK, but your cruise pressure looks a little low, but unless it is making some unnatural noises while running, it will probably go a year and then some (I had an old gas engine that had less than 10 at idle and about 25 cruising at 2500rpm and it lasted a couple years). Keep the oil clean - change it when you are supposed to. Use a good quality filter (i.e. not Fram).

[mklein]

That really is plenty of pressure for hot idle. As long as pressure goes up with RPM, I would not worry about it (since there is no fix for a worn engine except for rebuild or replace) and would drive it until it gives up. Are you using an oil cooler?

[Blzr6.2'83]

The radiator comes with a built in oil cooler, but I don't have an extra one.