Wondering what the proper oil pressure should be? -on T4 motor

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I see a lot of posts but never a direct answer. Mostly from posts on low oil pressure, or idiot light coming on, or oil pressure too high.



I know the light comes on between 3-6psi.
But what I want to know is
What is the PSI on a cold engine start up.
What does the PSI for Idle at after warm up.
During driving etc.


I’m about to put an oil pressure gauge on it to check this weekend and would like to know where it is/where it should be.

(Right now I’m using 10w-30. But will go thicker after I get the engine finished up since I plan on changing the oil once or twice more after some short runs up the road)

[busdaddy]

[Wildthings]

You want to see 10+ psi per 1000 rpm on a hot engine, i.e. @ 3000 rpms you what to see around 30 psi. The owners manual says that it is okay for the oil pressure light to flicker once idled down after a long high speed run. A lot of extra pressure is detrimental as the engine is designed to allow the oil to get hotter and hotter until the oil pressure drops to where the engine wants it.

I ran 30wt in the summer and 10w30 in the winter for years and never had a thought about either the oil pressure or overheating. Eventually went to a 5w40 synthetic. People seem to like extremes when it comes to oil, as there are people that advocate for running a 0W20 and people that advocate running a 20w50 or even thicker.

Cold oil pressure is not particularly important, though can be bad if it gets too high. You don't want to blow out a galley plug or split an oil filter. Using suitable thin oil and then keeping the revs down for the first mile or so of driving after a cold start is usually enough to prevent overly high oil pressure.

[SGKent]

10 PSI per thousand RPM is needed to maintain the bearings. At 5,000 RPM that is 50 PSI minimum. At idle that is 9 - 10 PSI. 85 psi to 90 PSI max when not warmed up yet is common. That is 20 psi per 1000. More is not good on the filter and gallery plugs. That much when hot is too high. It wastes HP and causes excessive oil temperature increases. I shoot for 12 - 15 psi per 1000 under normal temps and driving because when hot after a hill climb it will drop. Also too high a pressure is hard on the oil pump, especially one that is not pinned.
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