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  • oil pressure?

    I have a 95 Firebird 3800. The engine has about 80k. It always had good pressure (would stay in the middle of the oil pressure gauge at idle, and then go higher when driving).

    Last year I had a lot of work done to it due to some idiot at another shop putting the balancer on with an impact without lining up the keyway, and forcing a new keyway into it. So about a year ago I had the dealer fix all that mess, they replaced the key, the balancer, a timing gear, crank sensor, and some other stuff. When I got the car back the oil pressure was never the same. The oil gauge would be at the first line (about 30) at idle and the middle line while driving (60).

    A few days ago my car started having a misfire AGAIN! I've had to deal with some misfire problem every single year since I've had this car, but last year I changed plugs, wires and everything and routed them perfectly with the dealer plug retainers AND a pack of aftermarket retainers as well, to keep them away from the engine.

    Ok so it was misfiring for a couple days, on and off, and I hadn't got around to checking it out. Then my oil pressure was even lower than usual. It started going down to the red line at idle but still goes up to the 60 line while driving. But as soon as I stop to an idle, it drops to the redline and the 'check gauges' light comes on. I was having to keep my foot on the gas while stopped at lights.

    So I ask, what could the problem be? I read that these oil pumps rarely go bad since they're driven off the crank. Do you think it could be the pump? Or what else could it be? Thanks for the help.

    -Nina

  • #2
    try puttin in a thicker oil to see if it rises, try some 15-40 or 20-50 oil. rule of thumb is i believe 15lbs per 1000rpm i could be wrong on the numbers tho
    2009 Honda Civic EX- the daily beater

    old toys - 1983 trans am, 1988 trans am, 1986 IROC-Z, 2002 Ram Off-Road, 1984 K10, 1988 Mustang GT, 2006 Silverado 2500HD

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    • #3
      close...10 psi per 1000.

      on 3.8s there is a oil pressure switch on the front of the engine, next to the oil filter, beside the a/c compresor. It sticks out...

      unbolt it and check for wear...see if the connectors are corroded. see if the connector is in good shape and that the wires aren't fried.

      I didn't know 3.8s were offerred in 95...

      We replaced my friends 98 camaro, when he did and corrected a fluctuating needle.

      I believe it's 20 bucks.

      Christopher Teng

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      • #4
        Have the actual pressure checked with a mechanical gauge. No telling what the electric one may be doing. It will probably require removing the stock oil pressure sending unit and using another gauge for diagnostic purposes.

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