Low idle oil pressure, after high volume pump install.

[SD2020]

I would assume the shop did not use plastigauge. They did polish the crank. The cylinders are also 0.010 over now. I need to head over to the machine shop soon and update the situation again with them.

 

[domsaleo]

Everybody is different and that's what makes this world and this forum a great place. I really only like to spend my money once when performing repairs or when trying to squeeze every last ounce of power out of a motor.

That being said I would have never even started that engine without a mechanical gauge installed especially after installing a new oil pump. I don't trust parts, period, even if they are new. I have to see that part work before I believe it. The parts game is a racket and so many times it's a race to the bottom to see who can provide the cheapest part and when that occurs quality control goes south too.

So do you think I'm kind of just screwed until I crack it open again? Is the 24 psi too low to be confident I won't go through another cam at longer idle times? I have an oil leak I just tried to fix. I re tightened the MDS plugs and put some rtv on the corner of the valve cover where it appeared to have maybe leaked. Only other spot I can see is the head in the back passenger corner. I had the block on an engine stand and did everything to spec. Also double checked that I had the correct gaskets on the correct head. Again, I'm definitely a shade tree mechanic just trying to maintain my own stuff so I don't have excessive knowledge on these things.

Appreciate the input.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

So do you think I'm kind of just screwed until I crack it open again? Is the 24 psi too low to be confident I won't go through another cam at longer idle times? I have an oil leak I just tried to fix. I re tightened the MDS plugs and put some rtv on the corner of the valve cover where it appeared to have maybe leaked. Only other spot I can see is the head in the back passenger corner. I had the block on an engine stand and did everything to spec. Also double checked that I had the correct gaskets on the correct head. Again, I'm definitely a shade tree mechanic just trying to maintain my own stuff so I don't have excessive knowledge on these things.

Appreciate the input.

Eventually that low idle oil pressure is going to be a problem. If it doesn't get the rod bearings first or the thrust bearing it will get a lifter or three.

 

[Wild one]

So do you think I'm kind of just screwed until I crack it open again? Is the 24 psi too low to be confident I won't go through another cam at longer idle times? I have an oil leak I just tried to fix. I re tightened the MDS plugs and put some rtv on the corner of the valve cover where it appeared to have maybe leaked. Only other spot I can see is the head in the back passenger corner. I had the block on an engine stand and did everything to spec. Also double checked that I had the correct gaskets on the correct head. Again, I'm definitely a shade tree mechanic just trying to maintain my own stuff so I don't have excessive knowledge on these things.

Appreciate the input.

A high volumn pump doesn't do anything to prolong lifter life.The cam lobes and lifter rollers are out in the open,and there is no pressurized oil fed to them,they get their lube from the oil flung off the crankshaft,upping your idle rpm is the only way to get more oil onto the cam lobe and lifter roller at idle.

 

[Ken226]

So do you think I'm kind of just screwed until I crack it open again? Is the 24 psi too low to be confident I won't go through another cam at longer idle times? I have an oil leak I just tried to fix. I re tightened the MDS plugs and put some rtv on the corner of the valve cover where it appeared to have maybe leaked. Only other spot I can see is the head in the back passenger corner. I had the block on an engine stand and did everything to spec. Also double checked that I had the correct gaskets on the correct head. Again, I'm definitely a shade tree mechanic just trying to maintain my own stuff so I don't have excessive knowledge on these things.

Appreciate the input.

Before you pull the engine back apart, try a different oil filter. If you havn't already.

The Mopar 899 tends to bump your oil pressure up a bit from the smaller filters. For me, it runs about 8 psi more than the Mopar smaller filter.

Here:

Amazon.com: Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL : Automotive

Rating: - reviews. Buy Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL on Amazon.com and confirm correct fitment online.

a.co

I've been using the Bosch 3410 for the last couple years, it also keeps the oil pressure a little higher, but not as high as the Mopar 899.

Here: https://a.co/d/ftyE5PJ


It may not help, but it's cheap enough to be worth a shot.

 

[domsaleo]

A high volumn pump doesn't do anything to prolong lifter life.The cam lobes and lifter rollers are out in the open,and there is no pressurized oil fed to them,they get their lube from the oil flung off the crankshaft,upping your idle rpm is the only way to get more oil onto the cam lobe and lifter roller at idle.

Wait, is this true? I mean the MDS solenoids were getting pressurized oil, no? The cam seemed to also have a 'cover' on the bottom side of it as well. I heard (and thought I saw) that it gets pressurized oil through the rods.

Before you pull the engine back apart, try a different oil filter. If you havn't already.

The Mopar 899 tends to bump your oil pressure up a bit from the smaller filters. For me, it runs about 8 psi more than the Mopar smaller filter.

Here:

Amazon.com: Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL : Automotive

Rating: - reviews. Buy Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL on Amazon.com and confirm correct fitment online.

a.co

I've been using the Bosch 3410 for the last couple years, it also keeps the oil pressure a little higher, but not as high as the Mopar 899.

Here: https://a.co/d/ftyE5PJ


It may not help, but it's cheap enough to be worth a shot.

Well unfortunately, I have been using the 899 exclusively on my truck since I bought it.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Wait, is this true? I mean the MDS solenoids were getting pressurized oil, no? The cam seemed to also have a 'cover' on the bottom side of it as well. I heard (and thought I saw) that it gets pressurized oil through the rods.


Well unfortunately, I have been using the 899 exclusively on my truck since I bought it.

@Wild one is correct here. The cam and lifters do not receive pressurized oil in the manner than most people think. They get their lubrication by splash and slosh and drip drop. I meant to put this in my last post but forgot but as @Wild one stated the only way to get the oil pressure up at idle is to raise the Idle RPM and I would raise it to 750rpm and leave it there.

The day I put the motor together for this 2006 DR a couple of months ago I opened my laptop and set the idle RPM to 750 and my hot idle oil pressure right now sitting in the truck is 39psi after a 70 mile drive on the highway.

 

[domsaleo]

@Wild one is correct here. The cam and lifters do not receive pressurized oil in the manner than most people think. They get their lubrication by splash and slosh and drip drop. I meant to put this in my last post but forgot but as @Wild one stated the only way to get the oil pressure up at idle is to raise the Idle RPM and I would raise it to 750rpm and leave it there.

The day I put the motor together for this 2006 DR a couple of months ago I opened my laptop and set the idle RPM to 750 and my hot idle oil pressure right now sitting in the truck is 39psi after a 70 mile drive on the highway.

Hooking up the laptop and adjusting the idle sounds amazing. Assuming you need licenses or something do to that? I have a superchips but the damn thing is so old and doesn't have the option. I would hate to have to spend $400+ for that one thing..

 

[Wild one]

Hooking up the laptop and adjusting the idle sounds amazing. Assuming you need licenses or something do to that? I have a superchips but the damn thing is so old and doesn't have the option. I would hate to have to spend $400+ for that one thing..

Only way to up the idle rpm is with a tuner,even a diablo handheld will allow you to up the idle rpm to 750. You made the comment about high idling times,if you have to let the truck idle for any more then a minute or 2 at a time,it's worth upping the idle rpm,or get in the habit of shutting it off instead of idling it.If you need a vehicle to idle for extended periods,the hemi is not the engine for you,it's not an engine that likes to idle

 

[domsaleo]

Only way to up the idle rpm is with a tuner,even a diablo handheld will allow you to up the idle rpm to 750. You made the comment about high idling times,if you have to let the truck idle for any more then a minute or 2 at a time,it's worth upping the idle rpm,or get in the habit of shutting it off instead of idling it.If you need a vehicle to idle for extended periods,the hemi is not the engine for you,it's not an engine that likes to idle

Not on a job site or anything. Just sitting for 10-20 minutes here and there. The engine is butter, no shaking or bouncing idle, just afraid of the lifter failure. Recently I've just been giving it some throttle for a few seconds to let it have 40+ for a few seconds. I guess I'll have to buy a diablo ‍.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Did you ever put the mechanical gauge on?

I find this quite odd. Your analog gauge shows slightly above mid scale. The same as mine when my engine is cold and bouncing the 58-60 psi range. And your digital shows 24 psi.

 

[domsaleo]

Did you ever put the mechanical gauge on?

I find this quite odd. Your analog gauge shows slightly above mid scale. The same a s mine when My engine is cold and bouncing the 58-60 psi range. And your digital shows 24 psi.

View attachment 563860

I did put a gauge on it and it was showing slightly higher. Maybe 30ish when it was mostly hot. But I also had to use an elbow adapter to get the damn thing to screw in. So maybe that wasn't showing a completely accurate pressure reading. I'm going to drop the pan on next oil change and make sure my pickup tube I ring and stuff is in there correctly.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Pinching that pick up oil ring in the pump is is not uncommon and will certainly effect pressure. If you did, I am surprised you even got 24 psi.

On the other hand, that low RPM with hot oil isn't doing you and favors either.

 

[domsaleo]

Pinching that pick up oil ring in the pump is is not uncommon and will certainly effect pressure. If you did, I am surprised you even got 24 psi.

On the other hand, that low RPM with hot oil isn't doing you and favors either.

Yea well I kind of hope that's all it is. If not, then I guess I'm just boned. Idk what I'll do from there..

 

[Wild one]

I did put a gauge on it and it was showing slightly higher. Maybe 30ish when it was mostly hot. But I also had to use an elbow adapter to get the damn thing to screw in. So maybe that wasn't showing a completely accurate pressure reading. I'm going to drop the pan on next oil change and make sure my pickup tube I ring and stuff is in there correctly.

The elbow adapter isn't going to affect the pressure reading,as it's a dead head pressure.An elbow will affect flow,but not a dead head psi reading

 

[04fxdwgi]

Yea well I kind of hope that's all it is. If not, then I guess I'm just boned. Idk what I'll do from there..

Hold the idle up at around 700-750 and let us know what happens.

 

[domsaleo]

A

Hold the idle up at around 700-750 and let us know what happens.

When hot, 750 idle gives me around 35 psi

 

[domsaleo]

Hold the idle up at around 700-750 and let us know what happens.

Around 34 + / - at 700+ hot idle. Can't hold it very accurately. Just driving around it easily hits 60+ hot.

 

[Wild one]

Around 34 + / - at 700+ hot idle. Can't hold it very accurately. Just driving around it easily hits 60+ hot.

That's not great considering you have a high volumn pump,but it's also not low enough to be a real killer.Suck it up and get it tuned and have the idle turned up to at least 750/780 rpm,and don't let it idle anymore then you have to.
Even a crappy Diablo handheld will let you up the idle rpm,and might be your cheapest option,as you can turn the idle up yourself,and you don't need to take it to a tuner

 

[JHoward]

Before you pull the engine back apart, try a different oil filter. If you havn't already.

The Mopar 899 tends to bump your oil pressure up a bit from the smaller filters. For me, it runs about 8 psi more than the Mopar smaller filter.

Here:

Amazon.com: Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL : Automotive

Rating: - reviews. Buy Mopar 04884899AC FILTER ENGINE OIL on Amazon.com and confirm correct fitment online.

a.co

I've been using the Bosch 3410 for the last couple years, it also keeps the oil pressure a little higher, but not as high as the Mopar 899.

Here: https://a.co/d/ftyE5PJ


It may not help, but it's cheap enough to be worth a shot.

Yep, good note ... I've encountered difference in higher oil psi(s) with larger oil filters like Royal Purple 20-820 oil filters and most noticeable when using Red Line 5w/30 oil ...