Low Oil Pressure Observed with a Gauge

rclarkbow

Hi everyone,

So I installed an AEM oil pressure gauge following this guide:

DIY: Oil Pressure Gauge

Basically the method is to create a three way adapter attached onto the OEM oil pressure sensor (which activates the red oil light on the stock car).

My oil pressure was down to about 13-14 psi at 180 degrees f temp at idle with AC turned off. Nissan states the minimum is 14 psi at this temp, but many members of this forum I've noticed have higher pressure at idle (like 20 plus psi)

So I replaced the gallery gaskets, along with the timing chain and components and a number of other preventative items. I was thinking that worn gallery gaskets were the cause of the issue and needed to be replaced immediately.

After all that the pressure only went up like 1-2 psi and now at idle at 180 degrees I'm just barely hovering around 15, it drops to 10 psi when the car gets pretty hot like 225 degrees f (I have a 34 row oil cooler installed also, but it still gets hot when I track the car).

I'm not sure if this is normal and others are reading from an oil pressure gauge with a different sensor location, or if it was something other than the gallery gaskets causing the pressure.

Interestingly, I had the metal gaskets installed from the factory on my late 2011 build 2012 model car (which forums suggested would be the paper kind until like 2013, I guess it varies). I doubt they've ever been replaced as I bought the car CPO in 2016 with low mileage.

My question is should I do something about upgrading the oil pump gears or possibly something else? My engine is higher mileage (160k) but I've already put so much into insuring the engine is ready for track days and auto cross I want to make sure the oil gear seizing issue doesn't brick the engine after all the money I've already spent on it.

I've also read that it's much more labor efficient to just reach in and replace the gears versus replacing the whole oil pump (front cover alone just has to come off again?)

Any input would be appreciated, I could also just leave it alone and hope for the best, yes I realize I should have done the oil pump gears when I did the gallery gaskets / timing components. Hindsight is 20/20

Rusty

What weight you you running?

You could shim the oil pressure relieve spring some to boost oil pressure.

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rclarkbow

5w30 mobil one.

BettyZ

I run my gauge the same way as you and oil pressure never dropped below 20 regardless of temp. Before you go replacing the pump, try replacing the pressure sensor. Maybe it's faulty.

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Averying

Agree that a faulty sensor is a probable culprit here. Down to 10psi when hot is pretty damn low especially since you’re beating on the car at the track. I’d think the motor wouldn’t last too long at those pressures. Def swap the sensor and report back


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SonicVQ

What is the oil pressure at 2,000 RPM @ 80C/176F?
It should be > 42 PSI.

Z34Hakeem_

I wonder the same. I added an Oil Pressure Sensor a couple months ago when I finished my custom Turbo Build. I have been keeping a close eye on Oil Pressure ever since because I have an 09' (Bought it 4 years ago with only 44k Miles on it. Now I'm at 101k). My Oil Pressure is always at 14-16psi at idle when up to testing temp. and the 2k rpms test its always at 43-45psi. I also see people here testing out at higher psi's and wonder about the difference. I do plan to upgrade the gaskets and do the billet gears. But I also see myself within spec so I wanted to hold off till I build the motor so I can do it while I'm there. I don't think anyone has done the work to the motor before me, but you don't know till you're in there.

husam2012

If your motor has 160k it would be way smarter to just swap in a low mileage unit. If your gauge is reading correctly then it's most likely due to worn out bearings. I also run 0w40 on all my VQs as it's a better oil than 5w30.

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stansens

I get no lower than 30 psi so I have to agree in that it's likely an oil pump problem, oil galley restriction or pressure relief spring/valve issue. Probably shouldn't run it at low pressure for very long. Hope you find the issue soon.

rclarkbow

Hard to tell exactly, but it was in the range of 45-50 at this temperature when it was about 80 degrees F outside.