2000 Sierra 1500 v6 What should my oil pressure be?

[markophonic]

I just purchased a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4.3 V6

It has 140,000 on the odometer...The motor was replaced with another that had about 100,000 miles on it.

I'm wondering what the oil pressure should be...at Idle and while cruising?

The oil pressure gauge states that I'm above the 40psi mark while driving and it drops to below the 40psi mark while idling?

Whats normal on this motor?

thanks

 

[Molson02536]

I just purchased a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4.3 V6

It has 140,000 on the odometer...The motor was replaced with another that had about 100,000 miles on it.

I'm wondering what the oil pressure should be...at Idle and while cruising?

The oil pressure gauge states that I'm above the 40psi mark while driving and it drops to below the 40psi mark while idling?

Whats normal on this motor?

thanks

Generally, 30 to 75 pounds per square inch (psi) of oil pressure is considered "normal." A cold engine may show 75 psi or more when first started. At idle, with a hot engine, the pressure may be 20 psi with conventional motor oil. With a synthetic oil, it could be even less.

At 35 mph or above, 40 to 60 psi is considered "normal."

If the readings seem high, a plugged oil filter could be causing the reading. The engine will bypass oil around the oil filter at high pressure to ensure that oil flows to the moving parts. This can sometimes be seen by the oil pressure needle bouncing when the engine is started cold because the oil pressure will cause the bypass valve to open and close until the engine warms up and the oil thins out.

If you are reading an electric oil pressure gauge, keep in mind that they are known to be inaccurate. A known good mechanical oil pressure gauge should be installed to check any engine where oil pressure readings are suspected to be low.

On engine's that just has a warning light and it comes on, it's need to verify that you have adequate oil pressure. Many of the sensors for the warning lights do not turn on until the oil pressure drops to about 8 psi. Driving a vehicle with oil pressure that low will cause serious engine damage so the ECM will shut down the fuel pump to kill the engine.

Hope this helps.

 

[markophonic]

Thanks Molson.

Thats exactly what I wanted to know.

Mark