Low oil pressure

[peterj1974]

Took the car out on Sunday for a run and noticed oil pressure seemed low. Was running at 0.5 to 1 bar. Engine was at temperature.
Seems low to me. Any ideas?
Cheers
Pete

[KevinW]

what engine?
did you mean bar or psi?

[Dek]

what engine?
did you mean bar or psi?

Got to be bar surely? 0.5-1 psi wouldn’t be detectable. Tickover or running speed?
(1 bar = 14.5 psi)
Dek

[peterj1974]

what engine?
did you mean bar or psi?

Hi - It's a chevy 350 and showing 0.5 to 1 bar

[peterj1974]

Got to be bar surely? 0.5-1 psi wouldn’t be detectable. Tickover or running speed?
(1 bar = 14.5 psi)
Dek

was showing 0.5 to 1 bar when running at 2000 rpm

[aaronjb]

I'm no Chevy expert but that sounds awfully low .. I'd be "ok" with 10psi (~0.8bar) at idle, but it ought to build off idle with a rule of thumb being 10psi per 1000rpm - so closer to 1.5bar at 2000rpm.

In fact, if it didn't rise beyond 1bar I'd be concerned about damage when running, so you really want to rule out the gauge (it might just be a false reading). What kind of gauge - mechanical or electrical? If electrical, digital or analogue? If analogue, is the voltage stabiliser working OK? Can you try a known-good mechanical gauge directly off the oil pressure sender port?

[427jlc]

Pete, Aaron makes a good point. My mechanical oil pressure gauge is on the shelf not yet fitted if you need to borrow it to confirm what actual pressure you are getting.

[peterj1974]

Thanks Lee. I’ll take you up on the offer. Will give you a call later

[incey1966]

Pete,

I have a pressure testing kit if its any easier/closer.

[peterj1974]

Hi Mike
Pressure testing kit sounds good. Wouldn’t mind getting one myself. Which one have you got?