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low oil pressure

1997 CHEVROLET CHEYENNE
170,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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JAMESTHIFFAULT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 97 chevy 3/4 ton with a 5.7 vortec v8. It has just short of 170,000 miles. When I am stopped at a light idling the oil pressure drops almost zero. The pressure has always been below the 40 midpoint. The engine doesn't chugg or idle rough and I can't smell anything unusual. The pressure comes back when underway but stays lower than normal. What is the cause and cure for this problem?
Jan 19, 2011 at 3:48 PM
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DOCHAGERTY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,606 POSTS
The cause is wear on the engine, plain bearing motors wear out and their tolerances open up allowing the oil to go through more easily. The solution would be to change the oil and filter and choose an oil of heavier viscosity. My Chevy truck does the same thing, 140k miles and I will deal with the low oil pressure at idle if and when the engine dies, and not a minute sooner!
Jan 19, 2011 at 8:31 PM
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