oil pressure question

ttocs · Jun 16, 2012

When I first start my car the oil pressure reads between 50-60 psi. After the car has warmed up and is running for a while it drops down into the 40psi range, is this normal from the oil at higher temps or is there something wrong?

What should be the minimum that it could be at before I should be worried?

det_riot · Jun 16, 2012

ttocs said:
When I first start my car the oil pressure reads between 50-60 psi. After the car has warmed up and is running for a while it drops down into the 40psi range, is this normal from the oil at higher temps or is there something wrong?

What should be the minimum that it could be at before I should be worried?

Mine reads 50-60 until the car warms up, once it's work it usually floats around 20 at idle and varies with rpms

RichV · Jun 16, 2012

40 is completely normal during operating temps. It will be higher when cold because oil is thicker. You're good man, don't worry about it.

What's too low? 10@ idle, 20-30 while running, I'd be worried.

ttocs · Jun 16, 2012

I am asking about the lower limit because my gauges are digital and are hooked up to more then one sensor module. I can set upper/lower limits so that if the sensor measures a reading higher/lower then my limit and I am watching the AFR module, the pressure module will alert me that it has reached its limit.

toyman · Jun 17, 2012

Ford's spec is 40-60 psi @2000 rpm hot.

ttocs · Jun 17, 2012

hey cool that is a stat I can take. Today it was wamer out and after a long drive I noticed at idle it would get to the high 20's and under load it was rarely under 40.

Any idea what oil temp I should get concerned at?

toyman · Jun 17, 2012

ttocs said:
hey cool that is a stat I can take. Today it was wamer out and after a long drive I noticed at idle it would get to the high 20's and under load it was rarely under 40.

Any idea what oil temp I should get concerned at?

Are you referring to an AODE? The ideal temp is about 170*F/180*F. Over 200*F sustained will result in early transmission failure. Temperature should be measured at the oil pan or sump.