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General Tech Oil Pressure

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
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After driving for about 45 minutes and idling at several stoplights yesterday, I noticed that my oil pressure, at idle, was only about 30 psi. While accelerating it goes up to about 70 and while ordinary driving, it’s around 55 to 60 psi. Does this sound OKAY?
 
Sounds OK to me at first view. What is your idle speed? I keep mine down around 700 RPM to prevent dieseling when I shut the engine off, and the oil pressure at idle is about 35 PSI, plus or minus a bit.
 
It's a little lower than mine, but I have a new engine (4000 miles on the rebuild) so it's probably still fairly tight, compared to others. In any case, your sounds OK to me.
 
Thanks guys. Just fyi, I run 20/50 oil, and it was a hot day when it read 30 psi. Engine is new. Maybe 3500 miles. It runs great. Roars!
 
Years ago we rebuilt a Tr4 motor that had had the pressure relief valve adjusted for the old worn bearings.
Never got the chance to re-adjust it before the gage exploded in a spray of oil ,on start up.
In retrospect I would say that backing off the valve a bit for the startup procedure of spinning the motor
(sans sparkplugs) until the pressure is up, would have been better.
Mad dog
 
Sounds pretty normal for these engines. I run 20w50 in mine. On cold start I run about 50-60psi. When it is fully warm, it runs about 50psi going down the road. At idle, warm, it depends on the weather, but about 25-30 is normal. These engines are kind of old fashion. Oil volume is more important than pressure, but you still have to have enough pressure to keep everything moving. Summer weather here in the California desert brings ambient air temps. well over 100deg. I usually set my idle speed up a little in the summer to play it safe. I also use a little higher octane fuel in the summer. ...J.D.
 
KVH said:
How does one adjust that pressure valve.
Click to expand...
On the oil filter head there is a bolt with a locking nut. You loosen the nut and adjust the bolt inward for higher presser, and outward for lower. Then retighten the lock nut. It's really that simple! The only "but"...if the adjuster bolt leaks after the adjustment, it is sealed by a couple wraps of lead wire. Normally it will remain a good seal, but if not, then you will have to remove the nut and wrap a fresh wrap or two of lead wire (or thin electrical solder) around the adjuster and re-tighten the lock nut.

You adjust for 65-70psi on a warmed engine with RPM above 2000. Idle and initial start cold pressures are whatever you get, and don't worry about it unless it is zero. That is a sign that you have a wear or mechanical problem.
 
CJD said:
On the oil filter head there is a bolt with a locking nut. You loosen the nut and adjust the bolt inward for higher presser, and outward for lower. Then retighten the lock nut. It's really that simple! The only "but"...if the adjuster bolt leaks after the adjustment, it is sealed by a couple wraps of lead wire. Normally it will remain a good seal, but if not, then you will have to remove the nut and wrap a fresh wrap or two of lead wire (or thin electrical solder) around the adjuster and re-tighten the lock nut.

You adjust for 65-70psi on a warmed engine with RPM above 2000. Idle and initial start cold pressures are whatever you get, and don't worry about it unless it is zero. That is a sign that you have a wear or mechanical problem.
Click to expand...
OKAY. Great. Thanks.
 
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