Well, I installed an oil pressure gauge over the weekend (I'll post a write-up shortly) to help diagnose a knock my 2003 SE has. To me, the knock seems to be coming from the driver's side, top of the motor. Here are the pressure readings I get:

Cold: Idle - 52 psi, 2000 RPM - 55 psi
Hot: Idle - 16-20 psi, 2000 RPM - 49 psi

I'm running Mobil-1 10W/40.

Any comments? Seem like good pressure numbers to me. RAVE says a minimum of 10 psi at hot idle is required. The factory oil light is not set to come on until 3.5 - 6 psi.

 

I know we asked before but I dont remember the answer, is it a knock or a tick?
Have you checked your cats yet?

 

I'll say loud tick. I have a short video I filmed with my phone if there's a way to upload it. Is that possible? It's an mp4
file.

 

what would I check on the cat? rattling?

 

With the engine off crawl under the truck and tap the cats with a rubber mallet or a block of wood, not to hard, but just hard enough to see if they rattle.
When the cats go bad the insides fall apart and then rattle and it can sound like a tick, knock, or other odd noise.

 

those number are VERY close to what mine runs everyday. I have noticed it very close to 8 or 7 once while off-roading at idle. I had the A/C on so that might have been affecting the reading at the gauge since i have an electric type. what kind did you install?

 

It's a Cyberdyne. I have a writeup in .pdf if someone can host it.

 

There are only 4 things that will affect oil PSI.
1-engine wear
2-internal engine temps
3-weight of motor oil
4-engine RPM

The only way the A/C will affect oil PSI is if it lowers the engine RPM when the A/C kicks in.

 

Spike555,

I just remembered that my scangauge was reading about 200F water temp when the oil psi read around 8 (its usually 187F under normal driving conditions).. it was really hot so maybe the oil temp was what affected the psi...

and like you said, I noticed psi also goes down about 1-2 psi when the a/c is turned on.

i'm running 10w30 mobil 1

 

yeah my CDL write-up is in PDF too. i just let everyone know that if they want it they can email me for it. i've had about 15 forum members ask for it. =( I cant host it...

I didn't do a "write-up" on my oil gauge but i took pics of my installation...and posted them on picasaweb.

Can you email me the write-up? jycsalas@gmail.com

Thanks!