I was wondering if anyone had an idea what might be wrong with my bonnie
its got low oil pressure goes down to around 35-39 psi once it heats up,
which its been doing it for quiet awhile but the oil pressure only started
at 40 psi. Just before my last oil change I had put in a few ounces of
sea foam in the oil and it did the same as always but it was usually
pretty constant and now after I changed the oil it starts out at about 60
ish and fluctuates even when I'm on the throttle. I had talked to someone
at our local re-builders and he said the main bearings were probably going
out because it has about 200,000 miles on it.

thanks, Mark

That oil psi is just fine. Our gauges are far from accurate, and love to bounce around. You can try changing the oil pressure sender if you'd like, but putting a mechanical gauge on it to check what it's really at first would be your best bet. Mileage doesn't determine your main bearings going out....that's total hogwash.

*Also: What oil/filter are you using?

I use 10w-30 valvoline with a fram filter.

Also I kinda was a little misleading with the mileage the mechanic said about the main bearings going out because of the oil pressure only being about 40 psi.

Change your filter to one that isn't cardboard and glue. Then tell us what the pressures are. NAPA Gold/Wix/Car Quest, Purolator PureOne, K&N, Mobil 1, AC Delco, Amsoil EaO, anything that isn't a bottom shelf brand, or especially a Fram, even the Tough Gard. I don't get why people cheap out on the only thing standing between a great running engine and a complete meltdown.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Yup, Frams are known to cave inwards and cause massive oil pressure loss. Ditch that, go with something 00Beast recommended. 40psi of oil pressure is not bad. It's not in the red by any means, so don't worry too much, just ditch that Fram and as your oil gets older you'll notice less of a pressure loss over time.

My 96 SSEi starts at around 40, and fluctuates around there after it heats up a little bit at a stop. My 97's PSI starts at 60 but goes lower after it warms up, but then that doesn't have HD cooling like the 96 does.

It sounds like you are fine. The oil pressure gauges on these cars are about as truthful as a politician on election day.

_________________
1993 Bonneville SE "Old Ironsides" 244,xxx - Junked.
1996 Bonneville SSEi "Double Trouble" 164,xxx - Stock
1997 Bonneville SSEi 40th "Purple Spaceship" 204,xxx - Aeroforce Interceptor, B&M 70264 Trans Cooler, Intense FWI, High-Flow Feline, non-Bose head unit w/ 5 band, Alpine 6x9's, 3.5 MPS, SD Headers, rear disc brake conversion. Future: 1.9 Rockers
1997 Buick Park Avenue "Blue Floaty Thing" 124,000 - Daily Driver/Winter Beater

Thanks for all the help sorry it took me so long to get back to you I was going to have it mechanically test but one day lanst week I was looking for something and I saw oil every were underneath my Bonnie, but it was the oil pressure sensor it was leaking right through the terminals. Got a new sensor and now the oil pressure starts out at about 80 and and goes down to about 40-45 when its idling and about 60 when your on the throttle. So I think it'll be fine for another 25,000 at least.
thanks, Remis

Please tell me that you replaced the filter. If you didn't, do it now.


And please tell me that you're not planning on leaving that oil and filter in for 25,000 miles.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock