Sintek

5.3L, very recent engine and trans complete rebuild. Is it normal for oil pressure to always hover around 60, only increasing upon acceleration? Engine temperature has no effect. Oil level is fine, no leaks.

PNW NBS Z71

What type of new oil pump was installed? Stock or performance? My 2002 LT, that I recently sold, had 164k miles on it and at idle it was at 45-50 psi and climbed when accelerated.

oilcanhenry

It's possible but not probable for engine oil pressure to stay the same PSI, but I've never seen that happen in my life. Likely a bad or defective oil pressure sensor or dash read-out. If you wish to know more you'll need to use a direct oil pressure gauge to the motor. If it does read 60 PSI and does increase as your engine reaches higher RPM's then you have an exceptionally great rebuild, and all of your bearings are in good, tight tolerances.

If all of that is correct you'll need to take it easy on the acceleration until your motor is completely broken-in for maximum lifespan and performance. Let it idle when cold for a time as well before you put it in gear.

PNW NBS Z71

I thought he did say it increased with acceleration? But @oilcanhenry is right, the only way to get a true idea is to put a mechanical gauge on it and see what it does. When you remove gauge and reinstall the oil sender I would just go ahead and install a new sender at that time. Like this one from AC Delco: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...380372&jsn=948

Sintek

Thanks for the replies. Despite it not being a new engine, I've been careful to keep RPM well under 2000 along with gentle acceleration - it just seemed out of the ordinary to see the pressure gauge read nearly 75psi at ~1200RPM. Hopefully I find it's just the gauge.

PNW NBS Z71

I would hope it is the opposite. Hope it could be the sender instead. The only way to take all the guesswork out of the equation is to put a mechanical gauge on it and see what it reads. If you cannot do it, you should have it done and MAKE SURE the tech records the readings at idle and at different rpm's. Document, document, document.

Sintek

I must have been thinking of something else as I recalled reading that replacing the sender is a labor-intensive job which includes removing the intake manifold. Replace it (DELCO only, I know) before the diagnostic?

PNW NBS Z71

No. The diagnostic is done by removing the old sender attaching the mechanical gauge and getting the readings and then after you remove the oil pressure mechanical gauge/tool, you install a new sender instead of reinstalling the old sender. You do not have to remove the intake to get to the sender. It is tough to do because it is at the back of the engine but no intake removal is needed to do it. Check a few you tube videos to see what I am talking about.