Q about oil pressure...
07-31-2003, 09:32 AM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 87
Q about oil pressure...
What is the normal oil pressure range for our cars?
My Maxima is an '88 automatic with 150,000 miles, that burns a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. My oil pressure during normal operation and at idle, marks at around or above 30. (higher when going uphill or passing)
My Maxima is an '88 automatic with 150,000 miles, that burns a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. My oil pressure during normal operation and at idle, marks at around or above 30. (higher when going uphill or passing)
07-31-2003, 01:23 PM
#2
That's about normal for your car. That is what my car runs at, but on a hot day, when the motor is hot, my oil pressure will go as low as 15psi, but that's because the oil is very hot and thin. Either way, you have nothing to worry about in terms of pressure.
07-31-2003, 08:28 PM
#4
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Yeah, your oil pressure is normal. What I would be worried about is the oil consumption, that sounds unusually high for a VG30 engine. My car has 126K on it and it barely burns/loses one quart in 4000 miles. How do you other guys fare on oil consumption over a 3-4K mile period? I think a quart every 1K miles seems kind of high, you might want to go with a heavier weight oil.
-C-
-C-
08-01-2003, 07:36 AM
#5
Originally posted by Charles Bisel
Yeah, your oil pressure is normal. What I would be worried about is the oil consumption, that sounds unusually high for a VG30 engine. My car has 126K on it and it barely burns/loses one quart in 4000 miles. How do you other guys fare on oil consumption over a 3-4K mile period? I think a quart every 1K miles seems kind of high, you might want to go with a heavier weight oil.
-C-
Yeah, your oil pressure is normal. What I would be worried about is the oil consumption, that sounds unusually high for a VG30 engine. My car has 126K on it and it barely burns/loses one quart in 4000 miles. How do you other guys fare on oil consumption over a 3-4K mile period? I think a quart every 1K miles seems kind of high, you might want to go with a heavier weight oil.
-C-
08-01-2003, 11:16 AM
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 87
What weight motor oil would be best to use in an 88 w/ 150,000 miles on it?
I usually don't have to add a quart until closer to 1200 or 1300 miles. I'll be more conscious of the mileage next time I need to add. I know I have a small leak from somewhere under there also, I think it may be from the valve cover.
I usually don't have to add a quart until closer to 1200 or 1300 miles. I'll be more conscious of the mileage next time I need to add. I know I have a small leak from somewhere under there also, I think it may be from the valve cover.
08-01-2003, 12:33 PM
#9
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Check your exhaust for any smoke coming out of it. That'll let you know if your burning it. If that's the case, then it could be your piston rings, which means you'll eventually need a rebuild.
However, it's more likely that your leaking it from somewhere. I know that I'm losing my oil through the valve cover gasket, so that's a good possibility as Sarin mentioned. Also, it's possible that you're losing it through the rear main oil seal. That's pretty expensive to replace on these cars though. Your crankshaft and camshaft seals may also need replacing. They're fairly easy to do when you are doing your timing belt. Also, check your pan gasket as Maxwgn said.
The best way to keep from losing a lot of oil is to not drive the car hard. Even though it's tempting, don't punch the gas. Also, let the car warm up before you drive it. I drove my dad's Jeep Cherokee for a while when the rear main oil seal was bad. When I punched that thing and went fast the oil would literally be dripping onto the exhaust piping and causing smoke to come out of the car, it looked like the damn thing was on fire. However it didn't lose too much oil when I took it easy.
-C-
However, it's more likely that your leaking it from somewhere. I know that I'm losing my oil through the valve cover gasket, so that's a good possibility as Sarin mentioned. Also, it's possible that you're losing it through the rear main oil seal. That's pretty expensive to replace on these cars though. Your crankshaft and camshaft seals may also need replacing. They're fairly easy to do when you are doing your timing belt. Also, check your pan gasket as Maxwgn said.
The best way to keep from losing a lot of oil is to not drive the car hard. Even though it's tempting, don't punch the gas. Also, let the car warm up before you drive it. I drove my dad's Jeep Cherokee for a while when the rear main oil seal was bad. When I punched that thing and went fast the oil would literally be dripping onto the exhaust piping and causing smoke to come out of the car, it looked like the damn thing was on fire. However it didn't lose too much oil when I took it easy.
-C-
08-01-2003, 10:26 PM
#11
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 548
The manual says anywhere between 14 and 64 PSI for normal oil pressure, when the engine is cold it will be higher and gradually taper down. I wouldn't worry unless it's at or just above the 0 line. In addition to the oil pressure gauge, I was able to obtain a T-fitting and an oil pressure switch for an '89 maxima (which has an oil light) and wire in a small red light just above the cruise control main switch that warns of low oil pressure (about less than 6 psi). behind the dashboard is a buzzer wired into the oil pressure light that also comes on. I've never seen a car without an oil light.
I have an 88 SE with 181,000 miles on it and it doesn't leak a drop of anything. I changed the oil about a month ago, but before that I hadn't changed the oil since November, mainly because the car sat in front of my house in need of a clutch. when I changed the oil last november I filled it exactly to the line. when I changed it last month it was still exactly on the line. I'm impressed that there are no leaks whatsoever. but then again, I think one of its previous owners worked at a dealer, judging by the way it was taken care of. my oil pan is scraped and dented in, which I want to replace, and my transmission bellhousing looks like it was cracked and welded together. so I'd conclude that they either bottomed out really hard or ran something over.
I have an 88 SE with 181,000 miles on it and it doesn't leak a drop of anything. I changed the oil about a month ago, but before that I hadn't changed the oil since November, mainly because the car sat in front of my house in need of a clutch. when I changed the oil last november I filled it exactly to the line. when I changed it last month it was still exactly on the line. I'm impressed that there are no leaks whatsoever. but then again, I think one of its previous owners worked at a dealer, judging by the way it was taken care of. my oil pan is scraped and dented in, which I want to replace, and my transmission bellhousing looks like it was cracked and welded together. so I'd conclude that they either bottomed out really hard or ran something over.
08-08-2003, 09:46 PM
#12
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 104
Originally posted by blackmaxima88
my oil pan is scraped and dented in, which I want to replace, and my transmission bellhousing looks like it was cracked and welded together. so I'd conclude that they either bottomed out really hard or ran something over.
my oil pan is scraped and dented in, which I want to replace, and my transmission bellhousing looks like it was cracked and welded together. so I'd conclude that they either bottomed out really hard or ran something over.
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