As I was driving earlier today, I look down and see the oil pressure in my '93 22re was starting to climb higher than normal. It usually hovers around half or slightly under the first "high" mark (about 2 needle widths). Its a DLX with the gauge, not a dummy light, so people with the gauges will understand. I stopped at where I was going and kept it running because I was going to be there for less than 2 minutes. I get back in and drive away and its now back to where it normally resides. I get back to my apartment, shut it off, and 10 minutes later I leave again. I starts out "normal" but after the first stop light, it stays at the handle of the picture that looks like Aladdin's lamp. I get to the Toyota dealership (interview) shut it off, Im there for no more than 15 minutes, and start it again. Once going, its at normal, then it starts to climb when I get back on the freeway. Then at the stop light I turn at, I have to wait for a few minutes, and once going it stays low again. Now I go another 2 miles to the DMV, shut it off, 20 minutes later drive away with the normal oil pressure. I get back to my apartment and leave again about 15 minutes later and its low again. I get to my sisters house (had to try to start my 4runner--frozen anti-freeze ) and leave it running. Once going again after idling for about 10 minutes, it stays low........
It stays in the "normal" range, but the inconsistency of the pressure bothers me. it did climb about half a needle width above the first "high" mark. I changed the oil about 4 weeks ago, but it starting leaking a bit so I almost ran it dry on accident. No light or anything and no low oil pressure while it was leaking. As far as I know, its about a quart low right now. 10w-30 Dino-oil. It has read lower oil pressure a few times before since I have owned it, no lower than the end of the "Aladdin's lamp" handle on the picture. Is this something I should worry about? Could the oil pump be going. if not gone? Thank you.

 

Read this:

Look for Oil Pressure Gauge (alphabetically listed)
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459180

 

I know it usually varies. Like I said, mine varies, but never by much and never this inconsistent within two hours, nor even a day.
I guess I'm just worrying to much because its so cold

 

Why in the world would you use a 10W-xx in any vehicle in Fairbanks this time of year ?
That's certainly a part of the problem.
It's WAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY too thick.
Your temps are somewhere around -40F right ?



Fred

 

-40, give or take 10 degrees..mostly give...or is it take?
I have never had a problem with 10W-30 oil. I don't think the thick oil is contributing to this. Once its warmed up, it has the same viscosity as 5w-30.

I think I'm just being a worry-wart like always.

 

Holy crap, where in the world did you come up with that ?????
Your statement makes no sense at all. Oil only has one viscosity at any given time.


Fred

 

toyota4x4907- I think you answered your own question when you said it's cold out. While it's true that a 10w30 and 5w30 both have the same viscosity when warmed up (both being rated as 30 weight @ 100C), the 5w* is thinner at 0C than 10w*.
According to API (http://www.api.org/certifications/en..._Oil_Guide.pdf), 10w* is acceptable down to about -18C/0F, below that, 5w* is acceptable. I'd probably be a little more conservative and use a 5w* below 0C/32F, and use a 0w* below -18C/0F... depending on the trips taken: if you're starting the truck often and taking short trips, go with a 0w30. If you're only starting once and taking longer trips, go with the 5w30.

 

They both have the same thickness at operating temperature. The 0W-30 simply does not get as thick on cooling as the 10W-30. Both are still way to thick to lubricate an engine at startup. It is way better to have a thin oil when its that cold, that is when you need most of your protection. Here is a chart of temps for a good example:
Oil type... Thickness at 75 F...Thickness at 212 F

Straight 30...... 250......................10
10W-30............100......................10
0W-30..............40 ......................10

Straight 10........30....................... 6

 

Yup....
And there is, pretty much, never a reason to use anything greater than a 10Wxx anywhere one's likely to live on this planet

And to the original poster, he should be using not only a 0Wxx but a synthetic also.
He's not driving enough, it seems, to get the oil up to operating temperature most of the time.
Given that, I'd look at a synthetic 0W20..



Fred