Normal Oil Pressure?

[Galwaylotus]

My Elan runs about 50-55 psig when hot and at speed. At idle, the pressure can drop to well below 20 psig. Is this normal? I seem to be using a bit of 10W-40 too - 3/4 of a litre in 200-300 miles. Should I be worried? I'm trying to source a good 20W-50 - Millers or Castrol so maybe that will help the consumption and low pressure at idle.

[rgh0]

If its running above 40 psi when hot at speed then you have a high pressure relief spring fitted as the normal spring limits pressure to around 40 psi max.

Less than 20psi at idle when hot is relatively normal when running a standard mineral oil in an engine without bearing tolerances at the tight end of the range. Good quality 20w -50 or 10w -50 synthetics will keep the idle pressure up a bit when hot. But you dont really need to worry about it as long as the bearings dont rattle and the pressure is in the 10 to 20 psi range. If it drops under 10 psi at hot idle or the bearings start to rattle at idle you will need to do something sooner or later

Whats needed ( assuming your guage is accurate) may typically be a combination of 4 things
1. new oil pump if the pump is worn
2. new bearings ( including cam bearings which are often the culprits)
3. new / better oil to suit the use of the car.
4. If using on the track or road with continuous high revs probably an oil cooler

cheers
Rohan

[Galwaylotus]

Thanks, Rohan. I'll pay closer attention to see if I'm in the right range at all speeds. As I said, I'll be changing to a 20W-50 oil so I'll see what, if any, difference that makes. I do notice that the engine sounds a bit like a tractor from cold buth when everything warms up it's more like a sewing machine!! Thanks again.