1989 Astro, 4.3 engine.
Hooked up a mechanical tester gauge. With the doghouse removed, it's easy to drive around with the gauge in your lap, since the engine is in the crew compartment. Results:
Warm idle is around 26 PSI
Driving around town is around 34 PSI
Driving at 65 on the highway is around 36 PSI
Only reference to oil pressure numbers the owner's manual makes is this:
"Readings of 30 to 40 psi may be considered normal during moderate road speeds of 35 to 40mph with the engine at proper operating temperature." (This despite the cluster gauge in my van having no numbers on it.)
I tested both with 5w-30 (the default in the manual) and 10w-30. I tried two different filters. I used two mechanical test gauges (both Harbor Freight). There were no appreciable differences. I was in the 30 to 40 PSI range during moderate speeds. But, should the other readings be different?
Thoughts?
Hooked up a mechanical tester gauge. With the doghouse removed, it's easy to drive around with the gauge in your lap, since the engine is in the crew compartment. Results:
Warm idle is around 26 PSI
Driving around town is around 34 PSI
Driving at 65 on the highway is around 36 PSI
Only reference to oil pressure numbers the owner's manual makes is this:
"Readings of 30 to 40 psi may be considered normal during moderate road speeds of 35 to 40mph with the engine at proper operating temperature." (This despite the cluster gauge in my van having no numbers on it.)
I tested both with 5w-30 (the default in the manual) and 10w-30. I tried two different filters. I used two mechanical test gauges (both Harbor Freight). There were no appreciable differences. I was in the 30 to 40 PSI range during moderate speeds. But, should the other readings be different?
Thoughts?
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