2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cold weather start and oil pressure

[SpicyJam]

How long is too long to wait for oil pressure? For 2 days now it has been -20+ outside in the morning. Truck plugged in starts fine, but I have noticed the oil pressure gauge takes its sweet time to move. More like 20 to 25 seconds. I don't really think I am hurting anything, but seems like a long time and sometimes just when I want to shut it down the gauge moves up. When the temp is 0 or above things work great, just looking for some input on this or is there something here to worry about?

 

[Midnite]

My 2000 acts about the same, though maybe about 15 seconds at most. Today was -12 F and it took a little less than 10 seconds for the gauge to respond.



My 1992 has a pad type heater on the bottom of the oil sump, and it's definitely on my list for the new truck. When it gets that cold, the oil is just way too thick (assuming regular non-synthetic 15w-40 oil of course).



Mike

 

[SpicyJam]

I am running 15-40 synthetic. If that is making a diff. I pull in the winter and really don't want to go thinnner.

 

[y-knot]

If you are truly concerned about your engines lubrication needs, why not install a oil pressure gage (after market)? That would take the guess work out of it, and for once you will be seeing true engine oil pressure.

 

[johncameron]

I'm running 0w 40 rotella SB full synthetic and the guage hops up like in the summer. It also turns over ALOT easier when cold -40!

 

[DSiemens]

I have been in -40 temps. A good 0~40 weight synthetic oil will help to shorten the long wait for oil pressure. Feels like a minute till you see the gauge move but it is less than that. I tow and would not use a 15~40 weight oil in winter unless the truck had an oil pan heater. Most engine wear occurs at start-up. The 0~40 wt oil will protect engine as when towing the oil viscosity is 40 wt.

 

[JohnE]

Longest 20 seconds of your life!

I had the same troubles with any 15W-40 or even 10W-30 engine oils.

Try switching to a 5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic and the results are amazing. Lots of options

I tried a few and settled on Delvac1 Synthetic 5W-40 year around. Great pressure in hot months and the needle moves faster in cold weather even in the recent cold snap of -40°

 

[SOOT]

If you use the same oil in a 12 valve and a 24 valve you still see a big difference in the time it takes to get oil pressure. The 12 valves oil press sensor is at the start of the system and the 24 valves sensor is at the end of the system. Since the 97 has about 170,000+ on it and the 99 has 181,000+ on it with no oil related problems I will stay with the 15-40 dino oil.

 

[wtrenholm]

Another thing that delays the oil pressure reading is that on the 24v system is that the oil pressure sensor is an input to the JTEC controller(computer) under the hood. The JTEC puts the signal on the Bus (a network between all the various computers). The signal is picked up by the instrument cluster (which is a computer) and then makes the guage move. So there is somewhat of a delay in the process. Every little delay adds up.



Wayne

 

[SpicyJam]

Thanks guys, I don't think I have much to worry about then.

 

[Cooker]

I agree with JohnE's comments.



Personally I would not be very fond of starting my truck at -20 with a 15w40 dino oil. I certainly would not do it on a daily basis assuming I lived were it frequently got that cold. A 15w is very thick at those temps. There are so many better choices of oil out there that will outperform and protect better than a dino or even a synthetic 15w40 at -20. JMHO

 

[JohnE]

SpicyJam;

If you're worried about thinner oil performance when towing ... . DON'T.

JJW-ND ran his truck hard hotshotting trailers for many years. He ran 5W-30 Amsoil year around for many many miles without any engine troubles and really appreciates the cold weather performance of a 5W.

I will never go without a 5W oil in the winter.

 

[KIseminger]

SpicyJam-

I am running AMSOIL 5W-30 Synthetic in my 02 and it starts up 10 times better. After all it doesn't have to turn over the sludge in the oil pan. It is actually better than 15-40 so you dont have to worry about it when it warms up

 

[jeepit]

I have 15,000 miles on so far and am still running dino oil. At what mileage did you switch to syn? I had planned on running up to 50,000 before switching. I changed oil Saturday and the Rotella had been stored on the floor in an unheated garage. It was very thick at 0 degrees, and took forever to pour out of 1 gallon container.

 

[Cooker]

At 15k I would feel comfortable switching to synthetic.

 

[SpicyJam]

I switched to Amsoil 15-40 at 60,000. Well should I say since I bought my truck with that amount of miles on it, was the first thing I did, dumped all the fluids and switched everything.

 

[JHutson]

I have a 2001 24v and I called the Cummins manufacture hot line and the gentlemen told me the rule of thumb is if you want to change to synthetic it is 25000 miles. The number of the guy is 1-800-343-7357. Because I had some concerns also and I like to use syn oil. Because I'm from the old school I still do it at 3500.