Have an 94 4runner with the 3.0 v6 motor, the motor only has 85,000 miles on it. The head gasket was replaced by a Toyota dealership in January of 09. Had coolent in the # 5 cylinder, but no major damage. The problem started about a week ago. The oil gauge has been showing a drop in pressure (below low pressure) at idle, but comes back up to operating pressure when the rpms come up. Ideas on the problem? Have you heard of their rotary oil pumps failing? How big of a job is it to replace the oil pump?

 

Has your idle speed dropped any? What weight oil are you running?

 

Haven't seen any rpm drop at idle or the idle being lower than normal. I am running 10-30w royal purple motor oil. Royal purple in everything else also.

 

bump up

 

Hook up a manual gauge and see what's really going on.

 

Have you investigated this problem? My 88 3.0 has horrible pressure once it warms up. I'm thinking time for a low end bearing job (through oil pan) or oil pump. I swapped oil pressure sending units with my 22r with no change. Also, I run 15w40. No smoke, (unknown history I've only had this runner a few weeks)

 

Hooked up a manual gauge and I'm reading 85 at start and 34 warm at idle. I'd say my gauge was a little off. I know more isn't always better but oil pressure is better than none which is what the factory gauge was reading at operating temp.