Ive posted before about this but need you guys' opinions asap!!! i have a 98 Arctic white Z28 M6 w/63K miles...bought the car used 3months ago (ive performed all the typical bolt ons)...car is mint inside and out but noticed when changing the oil for the first time shavings on the drain bolt...changed it again and noticed the same thing...no knocking going on or anything..when i got it a few months ago, the oil pressure at idle cold was around 40-42psi....warm motor idle was about the same and cold going down the road was 40-55psi...over the past few weeks its only been around 36-38psi. at cold idle...warm idle its only 22-23psi!!!! driving when warm its only coming up to around 36-37psi...im really worried...im running part synthetic castrol 10W-40 too...should i run an autometer mech. guage and get a reading or swap oil pumps asap or what??? hope its not the bearings!!!

 

NE1??? TTT

 

I believe '98s had problems with failing oil pumps.....but that wouldn't really explain the metal shavings in the oil.

 

ive heard the 98's had a problem w/some of the cars' oil pumps going out...but my question is would the gradual decrease in psi. be the pump or a bearing issue?? i know the o-ring is has to be just right in order to get proper psi...any suggestions for me?

 

Both of my '99's did/still do it - I don't even worry about it.

Hadn't figured out what metallic item could be causing it, but don't worry about it nonetheless.

I too have heard about the oil pumps - thought it was a '98 & '99 MY problem - and that does concern me.

In fact, I ditched the T/A due to what I considered low oil pressure ( 15 - 18 hot idle ) although GM says it is within acceptable limits.

I tried to find a link to the specs w/ no luck, but here is an older but informative discussion that mentions it.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=107533

Even if you have an extended warranty, GM is unlikely to do anything about it 'til it bites the dust - at which point you might just be looking at a new motor.
(Seems kinda dumb on GM's part, huh ? )

If you do not have an extended warranty, maybe now is a good time to look @ a cam install since they (you) have to tear into the front of the motor to get to the oil pump anyway.

Hard to say about the gradual decrease as any gradual wear in either the pump or bearings could cause that, but a high volume pump would certainly help you to build pressure.

Good luck, and let us know how things work out.


britt