[rogerc5]

I'm new to the dodge group having only owned a new '67. At idle after warmed up, the oil pressure drops to 16-17lbs. I've had high end cars all my life, beemers, audi and miost recently corvettes. My last corvette being a '04 C5 CE. Oil pressure this low has me very concerened. Any help here.
Thanks,
Roger c5

 

[radguy]

Where are you getting your reference from?

 

[rogerc5]

radguy----I get it from the digital readout on the dash. I usually go for a 28 mile sprint across the bay usually cruising at +-80. This morning when I got back the first traffic light i stopped at it went to 14lbs. When I complained to the service department last month they said it was ok. The oil pressure is ok even at 4lbs. b#^&*s Try yours after driving 2 or 3 miles and checking to see if your's reads low like mine.
Thank you,
Roger

 

[KurbyRTHemi]

I totally agree Roger C!!! I noticed mine yesterday reading the same, 14 -18. That is way to low, all the V-8s I've ever owned always had 28 - 32 at idle and 40+ at cruising. That low oil pressure surely concernes me, and I definately raise the BS flag on the 4lbs of oil pressure.

 

[radguy]

Ok, so it is from the stock guage. Check it with a good mechanical guage and see what the actual reading is. When I have time I will attach my liquid filled test guage and see.

 

[DAYTONA_R/T]

My AV with its 5.3L V8 runs about 30-40.... and runs up to almost 80 with WOT runs....

my fathers 94 suburban has a 350, and at idle it is down below 20... and will come back up to 40 at cruise...

 

[Nickel9]

My AV with its 5.3L V8 runs about 30-40.... and runs up to almost 80 with WOT runs....

my fathers 94 suburban has a 350, and at idle it is down below 20... and will come back up to 40 at cruise...

Remember that the engine is only using four cyllinders at idle. That may be the reason for the low reading.

 

[HEMIRT]

the number of cyl has nothing to do with oil pressure



your are safe as long as you have 10psi per 1000 rpm.

 

[trvol]

rogerc5 please let me know what you find out on the oil pressure read out!

 

[Murunga]

Hmm, I'm watching this thread. I just changed my oil and was suprised it held 7 quarts, lol.

Murunga

 

[trvol]

I had heard from somewhere that the engine would hold more oil than normal. But I can't remember if it was someone that new what they were talking about.

 

[GoDaddy]

man that 7 quarts added a little cash to the oil change...usually go for about 18 in my honda...the charger was 32.

 

[ANTMAG06]

You might want to check out that oil pressure from your cluster diognostics system by holding your nav and musical note buttons on the stering wheel at the same time I just checked it on my R/T and I could not get it to drop below 21psi at idle in gear or out of gear. Then I would say bring it to another dealers repair shop. You do not have to go to the same place you bought it from.

 

[mopartech98rt]

Well, as it seems, you guys are having a problem with a lower than most car oil pressure at idle. I drove a brand new R/T with 1 mile on it, and put another 7 miles on it, and I noticed the same oil pressure readings on the cluster as the rest of you. 2 other R/T's I drove kept a similar 14psi at idle. It's normal, and we haven't seen any back to the dealership with a problem or people asking about the low oil pressure. If you really want, contact DCX and find out for certain. I'm not 100% on what the actual reading should be, but with this many cars reading the same, I'd say it's normal. And about the amount of oil they hold, Chrysler states that they take nearly 8 quarts on the HEMI, but we put 7 quarts in for an oil change at the dealership, and they're fine.

Karl

 

[rogerc5]

Thanks to all who replied. I'm going to the dodge dealers on saturday morning and see if i can't get a tech to show me where i can install an mechanical oil pressure gauge. I'll keep all posted on the results. And the number of cylinders has no bearing on oil pressure. If anything, i think, ray: the engine would be under less load and might possibly have higher pressure. But i just go back to my street rodding days of yore. :grin: Any dealer tech's out there?????????
Thank you,
Roger

 

[mopartech98rt]

Well, I guess my sig doesn't show up, but I am a tech at a Dodge Dealership in PA. Like I said before, it seems as though that oil pressure is normal, as the Hemi's that I've driven with the on board computer have shown the same low pressure. That count is up to 4 now.

Karl

 

[DAYTONA_R/T]

Remember that the engine is only using four cyllinders at idle. That may be the reason for the low reading.

umm... no it doesn't

it runs on all 8 at idle... it will not kick into 4 banger mode until you are going about 18-20mph....

 

[Jake]

I've now got 2000 miles on my Charger, and I noticed the oil pressure dropping to 15 psi at idle, and is around 50 psi at cruising speed. The low psi at idle got me concerned, so I stopped in at the dealer... but the service dept. isn't open on Saturday. Will bring it in to the dealer on Monday and talk to a tech.

After reading this thread though, I don't think I should be too concerned. Also, I did read somewhere that these hemis are "very oil sensitive".

Does anyone have any more info on the oil pressure at idle?

 

[FloorPizza]

My Daytona runs between 14-18 at idle.

 

[RDBRT]

Guys,
(I did read somewhere that these hemis are "very oil sensitive"). YES!
We have MDS which requires clean oil for the special lifters that come in and out, 8cyl to 4cyl mode.
Also 5w-20w oil is not a crazy idea, it's mandatory!!, and a thinner oil flows faster through small openings and doesn't need or hold that much pressure to mantain volume.
At idle the pressures will be low, but all is good.
At these pressures has anyone seen an idiot light ?, Then the idiot light must be set at 7 to 8 lbs.