My remanufactured 22r with almost 3k miles on it has recently been showing some odd oil pressure indications. I have a mechanical dial oil pressure gauge installed

When I first installed it, it would start up and idle around 10 PSI. I would get about 10 PSI per 1000 RPM, sometimes more, which seemed awesome.

I opted for Royal Purple break-in oil, with an oil and filter change at 500 miles to Mobil-1. After that, she sat for a good 3 or 4 months over the winter. When it started after that period, idle oil pressure started showing 60 PSI! What?! However once my engine coolant temperature gets around 160° F, the idle pressure goes back to 10 PSI.

When she's not warmed up, it will go from 60 to 80 PSI at the higher RPMs. However, once the pressure is normal at idle, it ranges from 10 to 60 PSI, like it should.

It can't be because of oil viscosity; I've been using synthetic 10W-30 from the beginning. I'm in Oregon, so temperatures are never below 30° F or above 100° F. I get the same pressure no matter the temperature. The only exception is when it is like 100° out, it takes less time for the engine to warm up, so it goes back to 10 psi at idle in less time.

There is no excessive oil consumption, there is not water in the oil or vice versa. The plugs are not oil fouled.



so, is this normal? faulty gauge? something else?

Any input would be appreciated!

About to go make a video of warmup.

 

Mine has always been at 60-80 during warmup and drops to 25-30 ish when warm at idle. Been that way for 8+ years with no problems (at least not oil psi related). I run redline 10-30 or 10-40 with half a quart of hyperlube (thick snotty stuff, prolly keeps psi #'s a little higher).
To be honest, If my truck was reading 10psi I'd be worried something was wrong, but that's cuz I know where mine normally runs.

 

Awesome, thanks for the quick response. The only thing that confuses me about that is that when the engine was new, it was reading 10 PSI. Maybe the oil pump had to break in or something?



I made a video just for your guys, showing how my Trekker warms up.

 

That seems to opperate about the same as mine, rpm's to psi levels are very similar. Mine might be a touch higher. I'm of the impression that high oil psi isn't bad until you spring a leak, it's low psi you have to worry about. I could be wrong, in which case, we both have a problem.

P.S. I wish mine was a treker, but don't tell my truck.

 

The oil pressures are normal under the conditions you described. I use Mobil 1 and I have a high performance engine, remote oil filter system and an engine oil cooler with an electric fan. My oil pressures are slightly higher even with the extra items in the oil system.

 

AWESOME, thank you so much, I feel much more comfortable now! I was very worried I was going to blow a seal or something at any moment.

 

I know it's a different engine, since I have a 3RZ. But mine does the same as yours in regards to high oil pressure at start up, and drops when it warms up. Mine runs 60-80 at higher RPMs when cold, and about 30psi at idle when cold. Now when it is warmed up, that's the scary part. At highway RPMs it's about 37psi. At warm/hot idle it's about 5-7psi... Factory specs are 4psi at idle and 33 at higher RPMs...

So yours is fine... Higher pressure ensures it gets all throughout the engine....

 

its normal for it to be a little low beffore brake in

 

I run a 7m. A supra motor. And they have a high volume low pressure pump. Idle spec is 3-7 psi . Upper rpm is 25-45 psi. Ive shimmed my oil pump cause thats a stupid low spec. My hot oil pressure is now 15-20 psi.

Oil pressure that stays to high while hot wont push seals out. But can errode the bearings. Causing damage

 

Drive your rig around for a while at freeway speeds and then look at your oil pressure at idle. Post back what it's at.

 

If you haven't noticed any changes in oil pressure after the engine warms up and you are only noticing pressure differences when starting and warming up then I would say that it is weather related. When it's cold outside, the oil is more viscous (think) than when it is warmer outside. If you last started it 3-4 months ago then that would put you in July and August which are much warmer than it is in November. That could be your culprit; cooling weather. If you have access to a heated garage, try starting and warming it up in there at warmer temps to see if you have the same oil pressures on warm up.