96 Suburban, Low Oil Pressure, Burning a Little

[addyguy]

Good oil choice.

A quart in 2800 miles is nothing on an older engine.

If the engine doesn't clank, knock, or smoke, it's most likely fine.

For oil analysis, I think Blackstone labs is still a sponsor here - click on their add or site to find out about getting a kit.

 

[rrounds]

My dad who had 230K miles on his '98 Suburban when he gave it to one of his grandsons told him to use Delvac 1 or Shell Rotella T6. Both are 5/40 and the Suburban runs like new and you can find that oil just about anywhere plus it won't break the bank.

ROD

 

[Jefferino]

Thanks everyone you guys are AWESOME! I am going to take a look at the sender and pull it this weekend, change the oil, filter and probably the sender also. I was thinking that if I put a manual pressure gauge it may not run/run right due to all the fuel [censored]...any links to ways to get around this? I am SURE it has to have been discussed before.

Eventually I will probably drop the pan, change the pump and check other things but for now hoping this will do the trick.

 

[abycat]

I put a mechanical guage in my ford 6 cyl with a tee so the factory one still works, if you wanna call it working. it read the middle all the time. But when i got the aftermarket one it said cold idle 53psi and hot idle 20psi. cold hwy 53psi and hot hwy 40ish. 53 was the relief pressure so cold it usually sat there or higher revs when warm. I know this is a completely different engine but i was suprised how useless the factory one was.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I don't remember on the older trucks we've had in our fleet but I can tell you the newer GM v8 gauges are pretty accurate provided the sender is OEM. Nice accurate readings and not too damped, I can see a lot of the natural fluctuations.

I have tee'd into 5.3's and 6.0's many a time as part of an old age diagnosis. We constantly have to decide when to rebuild or swap out engines.

20 psi would not even turn our head at all!

 

[Jefferino]

Yeah it dropped to like 10 yesterday but jumped all over the place and back up to 30 driving and 15/20 again at a light. I just now changed the oil to 10w40 so we'll see what happens.

As for location of the gauge...I have heard there is one on the block or head on driver side...I noticed the sensor over there that has a wire that is pretty tight and when I topped off my oil before having this issue or at least noticing it I dripped a bit of oil on it (yeah no funnel) and just quickly wiped it. Possibility that is the one going to the gauge????

 

[SteveSRT8]

On most GM v8's the sender is at the rear of the block up top. It is not in the head, those are temp sensors.

 

[Boss302fan]

My friends 94 burb just rolled over 300K miles and it runs great on PYB HM 10W30... We cleaned it up with a few Kreen treatments and now it runs only on the PYB HM oil. Runs great with no leaks and burns only about half quart every 1500 miles.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I'm sure Jefferino could use a good "Kreening"!!!

 

[Jefferino]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
My friends 94 burb just rolled over 300K miles and it runs great on PYB HM 10W30... We cleaned it up with a few Kreen treatments and now it runs only on the PYB HM oil. Runs great with no leaks and burns only about half quart every 1500 miles.


Okay Boss you gotta give me more info. I am sure I could search but if you could put here i'd really appreciate it and wouldn't give you a hard time for liking a Ford LOL

 

[Boss302fan]

Just try PYB HM for a short OCI and see how it goes...

 

[AVB]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Just try PYB HM for a short OCI and see how it goes...


I don't think Pennzoil High Mileage comes in a yellow bottle.

 

[Jefferino]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Just try PYB HM for a short OCI and see how it goes...


I just changed it yesterday with some valvoline HM 10w40 and a fram extra guard filter. Drove it last night and noticed that under acceleration was close to or over 40, idle was more consistently around 20-25. Maybe just had too thin of oil. Also however, I really would like to clean out this mess of an engine considering the previous owner didn't even know how to jump start a car!!!!!!!!!! Also that his son was driving to and from school and would dump water into it in the morning and after school to get home instead of fixing the leaking intake mani.

I have NEVER used anything in the oil except some rislone back in the day so I am considering kreen if it is good and can help. I want this thing to last but I don't have the time nor funds right now to pull the motor and re-build it as much as I would want to but with a 2y/o and a 5.5mo pregnant wife...yeah! She used to help me pull motors but I am not about to ask this time or i'd be horrible husband / AH of the year LOL

 

[Jefferino]

Sorry to bring this back from the summer but I have been using 10w40 Valvoline HM in it and was running great. Now with the weather getting colder it ticks and almost knocks until fully warmed up.

My question is this...would 5w40 or 0w40 be best considering I had low oil pressure issues in the summer on 10w30.

Please let me know. Thanks so much..just tryin to keep my beast alive