When the truck is warmed up at idle the gauge will read about 18-20 and when driving it goes up to about 40-42 does this sound normal for a vortec 5.7? I searched around and found many different opinions. The truck does have 147k miles on it and last oil change used 5w40. Would 10w40 help it out? Or would a new pump help?
What is the recommended oil pressure for idle?
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SouthBoston
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Mine sits at 10 at a stop light and 35-60 on the highway, depending on temp. Not sure if mines 'correct' but it does fine
My '96 5.7L vortec runs 18-20 warm idle in gear (auto trans) and 40-45 while driving. My truck has 176,000 miles and I run Castrol High Mileage 10W-30 in the winter (Colorado) and the same stuff but 10W-40 in the summer.
I run a little heavier oil because I tow 4000 to 6000lbs. at least once a week.
I run a little heavier oil because I tow 4000 to 6000lbs. at least once a week.
My truck is the same year and engine and today with 147,000 miles at idle it was around 10-20 and about the same while driving or sometimes it will get back up to 40ish. What can i do to help it? It is running running 5 weight oil.. Would a 10 weight oil help? or a new oil pump?
SouthBoston
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From what I have heard, quite a few of the guys on the forums run 10 weight, I personally do 3 quarts of 5w and 2 quarts of 10w in my 5.7
X-Cutioner
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right now my 95 with 194K on it, winter startup is 65#'s and after running to work which is 15 mile 1/2 back roads and 1/2 interstate it still hanging out around 25 to 35#'s at idle
i am also running 5w30 mobile clean 5000
i am also running 5w30 mobile clean 5000
No need to help it, that oil pressure is perfectly fine. If you must have more pressure, about the only way to do it without replacing parts is to use a thicker oil, like a 5W40 or 10W40. I personally run Rotella T6 5W40, which is a full synthetic HD oil used in many newer diesel engines. It will give you slightly more oil pressure at operating temperature, and is relatively inexpensive for a synthetic oil. But, as I said before, your pressure is fine. Just because some folks have more doesn't mean that you don't have enough.
