I bought a 98 Camaro Z28 back in June. I have slow been going through the car trying to learn what needs to be worked and when. The oil pressure gets real low once its run awhile, maybe 10psi. It still has good compression on the cylinders. I have read some of the threads on here and other forums saying the oil issue is the bottom end. So I went looking for a reason. Could this sand have gotten into the engine and how much damage could I be in for? What else should I be looking for? It runs strong at 188K+ closing the door on 190K quick. Any advise on ways to save the engine and make it last until I can find a good replacement or figure out what I want to do to this engine pwr wise. Backed by a stock A4.

 

So you have Sand in the Radiator? This could be poor upkeep issue/deposits. 10psi idle after running a while is a problem however, not related to sand in coolant. If your engine is turning 188k miles. You may need a new oil pump which is not hard to install. The oil pickup could be grimmy. Have you done a good oil change? Also, @ 188k miles, I would be looking for a replacement or a total overhaul is your planning on adding any power boosters. The more HP that thing is being asked to produce, the more strain on the other factory components.

 

GM specifies 10psi per 1000rpms. So 10 at an idle is fine as long as it increases to 20 at 2000rpm, 30 at 3000, ect. Could it be better maybe, will it hurt anything, probably not.

 

maybe so, but i would look at installing a new pump.

 

It runs any where from 20 - 40 on the highway, but when I pull of to street traffic that's when it drops. The engine sometimes gets a little rough when sitting at a stop light. I have no intentions of adding turbos or supercharges. Looking more towards LS6 intake ports and polished heads angle grind larger throttle body.

The sand is on the out side of the radiator, but packed in. All the way up to the top. I have changed the oil to high mileage synthetic blend and had the coolant flushed.

 

Put a new pump in it before you damage something. Its old, and tired.......

 

With almost 190k miles on it putting a new oil pump on it may not do a thing for oil pressure. The old and tired may be the rod bearings, main bearings, and lifter bores. As these items wear the clearances open slightly dropping the oil pressure.
With 10psi at hot idle and 30-40psi at 70mph cruising I'd just drive it while saving up for a rebuild or replacement motor later.

 

It's a bandaid, but you could run a slighty higher viscosity oil to raise pressure some...