Acceptable oil pressure ranges?

[jwilliams3]

I have a friend with a 1st gen engine equipped with a P pump.

He is worried about 12 psi oil pressure at idle once the oil is warm, when oil is cold its about 50 psi +/-.



What are the acceptable or ranges in oil pressure that most of the 1st gen engines have?



--Justin

 

[Philip]

I just went threw the service manual for my 93 1st gen. For the other engines listed in it. Dodge listed the min oil pressure. But the Cummins engine does not list any oil pressure spec's. Just clearence spec's for the pump itself.



My rule of thumb on oil pressure is 10 psi for each 1,000 of rpm you are using. Going by that he is above my limits. What is his pressure at governor speed?

 

[nascar mark]

His oil pressure should be 25psi at idle hot and 68psi max (bypasses at that pressure) hot or cold.



Both engines that have been in my truck were right there with my extra mechanical guages.

 

[Steve Graham]

According to the Cummins "Troubleshotting and Repair Manual for the B series engines" the minimum allowable oil pressure at idle is 10 psi. The minimum allowable pressure at rated power is 30 psi. So it sounds like your friends truck is barely getting by.



Steve

 

[JLEONARD]

It would be wise to check the pressure with a good mechanical gage if you have not already done that before jumping to any conclusions.

Jay

 

["Mad Max"]

At 218k miles I'm running 20 psi hot at idle and about 52 hot at speed - so far so good. 12 at idle sounds low but it should live. IS the 50 at idle cold or at speed hot? Also, do you know the engine water temps? Mine never goes over 165, ever, unless towing uphill. If the temps are high then there may be some bearing issues. In a case like this some good thick oil and frequent changes may be the answer.

What do y'all think?

- Sam