Oil lifter repair

[FlyerPoot]

I was having problems with the car knocking badly on startup, lasting for a minute or two and then going away. Took it in and was told the lifters failed because of a leaking intake gasket. So they replaced the gaskets and lifters.

Picked it up about an hour ago, and on the drive home I noticed the oil pressure gauge was fine when I was driving on the highway, but as soon as I slowed the pressure dropped to about 30. Before I started having this problem, the gauge was always dead center at 60, no problems. I'm thinking after a repair like this, the oil pressure gauge should not still be jumping around. Correct?

It's a V-6 Camaro, 2001, just turned 96,000 miles.

[98 'Bird]

The spec oil pressure at OT for our 3800s is 60 PSI @ 1850 RPM. That is when the oil is fully warmed up. As you probably know one variable your oil pressure is dependent on, besides temperature, is the engine speed, as the oil pump is turned by the engine. Getting the oil warm takes longer than you might think. A trip on the highway is a good way to get your oil temp up to OT. So if you've just gotten off the highway to a stop with the engine at low speed, it is perfectly normal for the pressure to drop to around 30-35 PSI while at idle.

Your Camaro looks a lot like my friend's, except I can tell you take better care of yours. It's in the picture to the right in my signature. Also a 2001 V6.

[3800_Firebird]

My 96 usually drops to around 30 at idle when hot as well. Generally sits about 60 at cruise regardless. A little higher pressure when it's cold yet.

The fact we get to have a gauge for oil pressure is nice. It's always a little disconcerting when it drops so low at idle, but that's normal. I've heard that in general the rule is 10 psi per 1000 RPM's of engine speed.

[FTA1995]

it should be fine, id be worried when it gets below 15 at idle...

as long as its up in the higher rpm range and you dont hear that "oh crap I spun a main bearing" sound you should be good.

[aldaran]

I was having problems with the car knocking badly on startup, lasting for a minute or two and then going away. Took it in and was told the lifters failed because of a leaking intake gasket. So they replaced the gaskets and lifters.

Picked it up about an hour ago, and on the drive home I noticed the oil pressure gauge was fine when I was driving on the highway, but as soon as I slowed the pressure dropped to about 30. Before I started having this problem, the gauge was always dead center at 60, no problems. I'm thinking after a repair like this, the oil pressure gauge should not still be jumping around. Correct?

It's a V-6 Camaro, 2001, just turned 96,000 miles.

I have the same type of noise, but it doesn't last any where longer than 10 seconds while the oil goes up. I've been told it is ok. My oil pressure is constantly at 60 while driving, but goes down to 30-35 when at idle. My 2000 Camaro is also a V6 about to hit 93,000 miles. How much did it cost to replace all those parts?

[BrdWAtti2d]

Off topic but, where in Pinellas Park are you FlyerPoot? I live near 66th and Ulmerton, technically Pinellas Park but the Post Office says Largo.

[Wild Willy]

Does the V-6 have the same oil pickup from the sump as the V-8? When I did some work on mine, and put it back together, I was having oil pressure issues at low RPM's- turned out that the gasket, a little O-ring in the pick-up tube had taken a set and hardened, and needed to be replaced- nobody warned me beforehand, had to take the timeing gears off again for a $5 part- :^(