Steve Tritle wrote:
>
> Good day all!
>
> My TD normally runs with 40 psi of oil pressure. It's now 20 degrees F.
> here in South Central PA. I would expect the pressure to read at least
> 40psi in cold weather but it reaches just 30-35psi. Should I be
> concerned? I still run 20w50 Pennzoil in the engine.
>
> Steve Tritle
> stevet@hbp.com
Any drop in oil pressure is cause for concern. 20w50 is an excellent
grade oil to run in XPAG engines. However, it may be a little thick for
20F (I also am domiciled here in S.E.Pa, just south of Pottsville) and
usually change the oil in my TD to 10w40 for these cold days. Drops in
oil pressure can be caused by many different factors, but considering
the 'stickiness' of 20w50 at these unusually low temperatures we are
having at the moment, there may be just the possibility that the
pressure relief valve in the oil pump has become stuck open just a
little bit, either due to 'stickiness' or to detritus in the oil. Try
warming to engine for a few miles, do an oil and filter change and if
the temps. remain as they are, refill with 10w40 and try again. The
forecast for this area is that the temperature will rise to 50F or so by
midweek, and if that is the case, then once again use 20w50.
Incidentally, an "expert" I know does not think too much of Pennsoil.
He tells me it leaves too much residue, and engines he services require
a lot of sludge to be removed from the sump. I personally always use
Castrol 20w50 and have always been satisfied, especially upon checking
on the amount of residual sludge in the bottom of the sump. I find the
oil to be reliable especially as my TD is blown with a Shorrock
Supercharger, and the life of the blower is absolutely dependent on the
correct amount of oil being metered through it's oil control valve. Any
sludge will block the metering needle, and a VERY expensive noise will
then occur.
Geoff Love, The English Connection.
|