Oil pressure concern

[Kim K Kaiser]

Hi All,, Happy New Year!!

Right before my cross country trip home, I developed a little oil gear cover leak.  Figured to fix when I got home and do an oil change as well.  In the mean time, I guess some engine shimmy on the long drive caused my fuel pump bolts to get a little less than tight and some oil was coming out of there.  Between the two, was making an unsightly mess. So I tightened the fuel pump bolts,, no more leak there.

pulled the oil gear cover, cleaned used vaseline to prime, changed oil closed up.

it was evening so I cranked up, pressure popped up and I took off.  after about 2 miles, I noticed the engine temp had gotten to temp much quicker, and thee oil pressure was much more volatile, up and down the gauge.  So I headed right home thinking maybe the priming hadn't gone as well, check oil, seemed like it was low ,but I knew I had put in 4.5 of oil, so I thought maybe it was leaking again and the seal had given.  I put in a few more quarts to make sure I got home.  I pulled the oil filter bracket so I could re prime with oil down the tube.  again, thinking the prime had not gone as it should.  got it changed and started driving.  Turns out, oil was fine, just couldnt see it on the stick being that it was brand new, so I drained off overage  oil back down to recommended levels.

Now, for history of last few weeks..  My oil pressure has been holding quite well up in the  mid to high 20s in town, I normally dont drive but about 15 miles per day right now, in to town, get coffee, go to gym, come home.  Later in day, drive through town, go home,, that's it.  I was happy with the driving and the OP readings.

Before the change, the only time I ever see my OP get to around 10 is when it starts up and goes by it, and when it shuts off and goes down.  Usually at idle, I am at about 15 or 18.  after this change and gasket change, it sits at 10. During local driving, it would stay up around 29 or 30 now, after the change, its around 18 to 22 in town.

Under driving conditions, at 55 or 60 on the local by pass, it goes up to 26 to 28 with engine temp and city driving temp at about 180 to 190.   What is odd, its the speed at which the oil pressure gauge is swinging up and down.  It didnt do that before this change.  It now runs at about 18 to 22 in downtown driving.

Ambient temp here is 82 and humid.  Running a 10 30 oil, not synthetic.

My question is should this drop be of a concern.  I have followed the manual directions of getting to temp and going 35 on flat ground and pressure holds at 30, but soon after, as oil gets hot, it starts its drop.

I hate to go to a heavier oil due to the outdoor temp, as later this week, its going to be in the 50s,, 

There are no unpleasant noises or sounds from the engine.  Im just concerned about the sudden change of pressure conditions.

Should I be?  and what course should I follow to find out if there's a problem.

Sincerely

[Kim K Kaiser]

yes, oil and that is same,  I changed the oil, rode it, it was fine.. changed the oil pump cover, then problem,  I guess I may have to pull that cover again, see if anything looks out of sorts,, but that's when it started.  its also running hotter,, so something not quite right after that.  a pice of gasket may have fallen in that tube,, I dont know..  bad part of changing that bottom cap is probability of maybe having to change the filter tube gasket to to prime it,, 

[Kim K Kaiser]

oh, jeez,, thanks,, that makes that change a little less stressful,, its not an easy gasket due to those gears popping out when covered in vaseline.  thanks for saving me some time

[Jason Edge]

Quote: "I guess some engine shimmy on the long drive caused my fuel pump bolts to get a little less than tight and some oil was coming out of there."
Make sure fuel pump bolts are torqued to 15 ft lb spec. From factory they came with a flat washer, however, I prefer a split lock washer. You can also use Loctite on threads to help secure and stop from backing off.  Given the fact you have been on a long road trip, ALL bolts should be retorqued to spec where possible and hand tighten where you cannot get a torque wrench on the bolt. I use a comparative technique on these hand tightened bolts where I torque the bolt I can then manually wrench it a bit further then go to the bolt I cannot access with torque wrench,   The oil pump gear cover bolts are torqued to 5 ft lbs.

[Kim K Kaiser]

Jason,, thanks,, 

I have noted on several occasions while fiddling around the engine since home, som exhaust manifolds bolts were very loose, front passenger one was out about 1/4 inch basically free.  intakes needed a little tightening, so I kinda loosely went to most bolts or nuts I could get to and give them a little twist to see how they felt,, the exterior exposed head bolts were fine,, I know I used the torque on all the nuts bolts on reassembly because they were so easily accessible at the time.  I was surprised to see this much,, just the tightening of the fuel pump bolts completely ended that leak problem.  I am sure upon my return, I will be going through, given things a test to make sure nothing pulls loose on the road..