2004 Silverado Crew Cab 4X4 Lower Oil Pressure

[Hookmaster]

The truck has 162,000 miles. Coming home from a fishing trip I noticed the oil pressure is lower than normal by 10 psi. How do I troubleshoot it? Would it be the oil pressure sensor or oil pump or?

[JOHNBIGDOG]

1st off,I don't know when Chevy stopped using real gauges and went to one-who-thinks-I-am-silly gauges. It would be great to know what engine is in your truck.

First, when was you last oil change, Is an oil change due? Is the oil at the correct level? The oil may be thin due to contaminants.

Second, when the truck is HOT and idling in park does the engine make horrible noises. If not, you're good, maybe.

The best way to know for sure is to hook up a "known good" mechanical pressure gauge and read the oil pressure at hot idle. this can be checked from the port where the oil pressure sensor is at. (can I tell you where its at, no sorry) when you disconnect the sensor, if oil has pushed through the sensor, replace it.

[Hookmaster]

It's the 5.3 liter V8. It's getting close to an oil change. I checked the oil before I left on the trip and added half a quart and checked it when I noticed the lower oil pressure and it was where I filled it to before the trip. I have noticed no noises from the engine or lack of performance. It runs fine, like it usually does.

[BoxMN]

Just wondering, but could it be the start of the instrument cluster going bad? I think it usually starts with the speedo, but I have seen it start elsewhere. Currently my stepsons 05 fuel gauge is the only part that works...

[Hookmaster]

I am on the third instrument cluster due to the noise of the servo? motors. I've had this one for quite a while and the other gauges are all fine. I suppose it's a possibility. I will post on a Silverado forum and see what the responses are.

[huntnfish]

I had an 03 Sierra and the oil pressure gauge went on mine although it would read high. When you shut the motor off does it drop below the 0? Mine would read up around 80 but when I shut the pickup off it wouldn't drop all the way to 0.

[trumy]

The 04 had problems with instrument panel Speedo and gauges some also had casting flaws with the heads my dad had issues with both on his 5.3 changed them out and was good to go all before the truck had 100k on it. Heads were cracked got anti-freeze in the oil messed with his oil pressure also oil turned creamy which is normal with heads and or the gaskets