'03 Oil Pressure Level

[All-tuned-up]

Just wondering what everybody else is seeing for pressure, I had an '02 which had a consistent 65 70 pounds of pressure, my '03 is running just under 60 when warm, drops down to 30 when idling? Is this normal? What's everybody else seeing. Thanks for the help. 1,000 miles on truck. tongue.gif

[4x4man]

My 03 is pretty close to yours. Warm/Hot idle my oil pressure is right around 30psi, sometimes a little lower. Runnign around town or the highway seems to be right around 50-60psi depending on rpm. When cold I have never seen it past 80psi though.
My truck is nearing 1,700 miles..

Bob

[All-tuned-up]

4x4man,

Thanks for the reply, I was just thinking this was a little low. Hopefully you'll see my other question for you!

Thanks again.

[PEANUTGRWR]

I HAVE TWO FRIENDS THAT HAVE 03'S AND THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIER OIL PRESSURE AS WELL. I DONT THINK ITS ACTUALLY THE PRESSURE THOUGH, THEY ARE BOTH RUNNING JUICE BOXES. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE 03'S REQUIRE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BOX OR WIRING LAYOUT TO MAKE THE GUAGE WORK CORRECTLY, AND THEY BOTH HAVE '03 BOXES. IS ANYONE ELSE HAVEING THIS PROBLEM?

[Jelisfc]

No box but my oil pressure is in line with the rest of the posts.

[SoCalDMAX]

Here's a wacky theory, (somebody slap me if it's too far out there):

GM realized the inaccuracy of the oil pressure guages and either changed to a more accurate mechanism or they're getting adjusted now.

The acutal oil pressure on my '02 when warmed up at idle (using Delo 400, 15w40) is actually around 26-29psi with fresh oil, 24-27psi just before I change it. So the 30 psi you're seeing on your gauge is closer to the truth than the 38-40psi we're seeing on the '01 and '02 Dmax IP gauges.

Oil pressure on mine, running down the road is actually 70-73psi with fresh oil, 65-67psi just before I change it. The IP gauge always indicates 75-80psi.

To me, the actual numbers are not an issue. It's the trends I'm looking for. I look at mileage and oil pressure to tell me when to change oil. I try to target 6,000-6,500mi between oil changes, but wil do it earlier if oil press. (viscosity) starts to drop a little.

Now take a large bucket. Put one drop in it. That's how much I know about oil compared to JK, George Morrison or Greg L. So, these are JMHO, please take them as such. ;)

Regards, Steve

[ 02-11-2003: Message edited by: SoCalDMAX ]</p>

[Bill Knieper]

My 03 pressure shows 29 at idle and 62 at higher rpms. This seems like a very large swing, but I guess it is normal.

[Dmaxin]

My 03 warming up the gauge reads 80 to 83. When warm at idle it rests just above 30. Cruising down the highway i see it at 62 to 64.
Matthew

[AlanL]

My '03 is also just under 30 at warm idle and just over 60 (warm) at operating revs.


4000 miles.

[FisHn2DMax]

My 03 ranges from 30 psi at idle and up to 60psi at high rpms. Seems to be consistant with all other 03's reported ranges ;)

[elcamino]

I found this posted somewhere, take it for what it worth.

[quote]Bulletin No.: 00-06-01-025A
Date: September, 2001
INFORMATION
Subject:
Correct Oil Viscosity and Oil Filter Usage for the Duramax 6600 Diesel Engine (RPO LB7)
Models:
2001-2002 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 Models with 6.6L Engine (VIN 1 - RPO LB7)
This bulletin is being revised to add the AC Delco oil filter part number and add the 2002 Model Year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-06-01-025 (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).
Important :The Duramax 6600 diesel engine can produce oil pressures over 690 kPa (100 psi) during a cold start condition and the oil pressure gauge may remain near 552 kPa (80 psi) while driving. Because of these oil pressures, it is important that the correct oil filter is used and torqued properly and the proper oil viscosity is used for the ambient temperatures.
Oil Filter
The correct oil filter for use on the Duramax 6600 engine is the AC PF2232 or the production oil filter, GM P/N 97214983. This filter was designed specifically for use on the Duramax 6600 engine and incorporates improved filtering capabilities as well as an integral oil pressure relief valve. The oil filter should be torqued to 24 N.m (18 lb ft) to prevent leaks under high pressure conditions.
Oil Viscosity for Cold Weather Operation
SAE 5W-40 viscosity oil designated as API CH-4 or CG-4 should be used if the ambient temperature falls below -18

[Kennedy]

What SoCal said!

I'm guessing that they turned down the pressure a bit to dercrease oil temp a bit and save some energy as what we have/had is overkill. I'd be curious as to where the new sender is. I believe the '01/02 are behind the PS pumpat an upward angle.

As for the Juice, it's all or nothing. If a non '03 compatible box is used, there will be NO gauge activity. The later boxes will work fine.

[Mike Fultz]

Just to confirm. My '03 with 2000 miles on the clock has exactly your oil pressure readings. I test drove several 03 Duramax's and noticed the same O.P. readings.


Mike

[Trippin]

2003 2500HD Dmax
30 psi idle "Hot"
60 psi criuse "Hot"
Juice Box "Hot"
Everything works great! :D

[NWDmax]

Engines can idle with almost no oil presure at all and not hurt a thing.In my (rather limited)experience I've had engines that idled with the idiot light flickering that ran forever.Had a small block chev that ran for 20 or 30 thousand miles after the pressure dropped from 40psi under load to 25 psi.It was in a delivery truck with 3 or 4 different drivers and they drove the pi$$ out of it.
Now I know it was a gasser but doesn't it hold true for a diesel too?
By the way the other 2 engines were a Dodge slant 6 built in 62 and an early 60's chevy inline 6.
JK,I wanted you to weigh in on this one too if you've got the time.
So whats everyone else think?
Oh yeah almost forgot:My 01 idles at 35 to 40 psi and 65 to 70 at speed.
Blake

[ 02-11-2003: Message edited by: NWDmax ]

[ 02-11-2003: Message edited by: NWDmax ]</p>

[Seattle Steve]

Same as the others here, I'm seeing 30 @ idle and about 60 at speed once warmed up. This is my first diesel, but from V-8 gas experience, 30# @ idle is low and only comes after lots of miles. I am interested in a bypass oil filter, but don't want to lose any pressure. I hope JK or Amsoil come up with a restricter to prevent pressure loss in the near future...

[Kennedy]

I seriously doubt there is a problem or need for concern. While I LIKE having an abundance of psi, it really is not necessary. Conventional wisdom says that 10-11psi /1000 rpm is all most any engine needs. The thing we are missing for direct comparison is WHERE is the reading being taken, and as SoCal stated, how accurate are the gauges???


As for pressure drop/loss from a bypass filter, I wouldn't sweat it UNLESS you are dumping pressurized oil into a non pressurized galley. I run from pre filter galley to post filter galley and get my flow based on pressure drop across the OE filter. Since all clean oil ends up in the clean side galley, the only way pressure would drop is from restriction or plugging of a filter. The Amsoil dual remote system works in much the same way.

[ 02-12-2003: Message edited by: kennedy ]</p>

[jbplock]

JK wrote.

"I'd be curious as to where the new sender is."

I 've been leisurely reading through my new stack of 03 Helms manuals (kind of like reading the dictionary) and noticed that the oil pressure sensor is on the lower driver's side block in one of the oil galleries. The manual shows two galleries that run along the block in this location

[Seattle Steve]

John- You've got my interest and I like your approach. I'll call in the near future with a couple of other questions. Looks like I'll be hitting your website for *another* order soon! Thanks for all the research, assistance, and excellent products you provide us.

[dmaxalliTech]

03 sender is mounted in same position as 01/02 but it uses a longer standoff tube that has a banjo bolt to the block, it needs this due to 03 having a casting that older blocks do not. and for the record, my oil pressures are within everyone else's.