Sea Bass

Hey guys.
I'm a little worried about my oil pressure. When it's cold the pressure stays close to 80 (est.) But after warm up, it drops to about 25 or 30 at idle and 45 to 50 at cruise. Is this normal? What are you guys getting?
Thanks for any info.

BigK

Howdy, neighbor.

This is likely nothing to be worried about. Could be any number of electronic issues. Sender, gauge, etc. The mantra with the CTD is that if it has oil in it, it has oil pressure.

To make sure, I'd try to find a way to hook up a mechanical gauge. I have not done this, but it might be a good excuse to do so. I would expect that there is a port acessible somewhere to do this.

Prudent of you to be aware, however. Perhaps we can add this to our projects list, and you can stop over some day for a bit of reassurance. We're playin' trucks here all of the time.

BTW - you have pm

KATOOM

Sounds like your seeing normal numbers to me.

blackjack

Those numbers sound like close to what I get when it is warm out. I think you are O.K.

StakeMan

The needle of my oil pressure gauge runs right at the right edge of the zero on the "40". No idea what that pressure is.

PourinDiesel

Sea Bass,
It is within Cummins specs.
If you really want to have an accurate reading.
Run a mechanical gauge from the 1/8" port on top of the oil filter housing.

--Justin

Tartarus

30 psi at idle, 50 psi anywhere above 1000 rpm. Cold day idle, 65-70 psi. Never seen any different in 21 K miles.

LRAmberson

When my engine is warm it reads 1/8 inch to the right from center. When idle it runs just to the right of the 1st notch past 0. Oh well what does that mean????

matthopp

Thats about what mine reads

Tiny

My gauge reads about 75 at 1700rpms, and about 50 at idle. Does not vary too much either way, not more than ~10psi.

StakeMan

From these posts it looks like the newer trucks have less oil pressure. Any truth to that?

Sea Bass

Stakeman

That's a good point. My brother has 93 ctd and my father has 96. They both get a much higher oil pressure reading and that being the reason for my concern.

rossn2

Those numbers are normal...when the engine is cold the oil is thicker and as it warms up so does the oil and it thins out!