2000 Silverado Low Oil Pressure

[pgun67]

My 2000 Silverado experiences low oil pressure at startup. It will fluctuate up and down and goes low enough at times to set the alarm for low oil pressure. If I rev it, the pressure goes up. After running and warming up on the road, it will stay at a good constant pressure. I used 10w30 for a long time and then went to 5w30 recently, but it did not help much. Should I go the other way to 10w40 or high mileage oil to help with the problem at startup? The truck has 150K miles and runs great otherwise. Thanks for any helpful comments.

 

[fr96ss]

check the oil pressure sending unit they go bad often.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: fr96ss
check the oil pressure sending unit they go bad often.


That's where I'd start.

What brand of oil filter do you use?

 

[BuickGN]

If it were an engine wear/pressure issue it would be worse when warm. Unless something weird happened like a collapsed filter.

 

[TallPaul]

Possibly the oil pickup screen is partly to mostly clogged? Seems that would result in poor cold flow but still allow decent hot flow.

 

[joel95ex]

check out the thread about my ordeal. just had it taken care of... ended up being sending unit 7 bucks for the part....change oil filter and sending unit before looking at sreen or pump.


http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...326#Post1354326

 

[pgun67]

Thanks for all the responses...does anyone know where on the 5.3 engine that the oil pressure sending unit is located? I took the plastic cover off the engine top and still didnt find it. The Haynes manual has a cropped pic of it, but no clue as to the general location.

 

[Colt45ws]

They usually end up on the block near the oil filter.

 

[joel95ex]

try this: you'll have to scroll down to your engine and use a special wrench which you can rent for free at autozone. it would be worth replacing this before you get into more in-depth work.

http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152801cb1c9

 

[mechtech2]

You state that you went from a 10 -30 to a 5-30.
That would result in a thinner oil at cold start up and mid temperatures.
You state that it did not help much, which indicates that it must have helped somewhat.
I don't get that at all.
Check your sending unit and possibly the gauge, then try a 10-40 if the problem persists.