Oil gauge drops low at idle
Low oil pressure at idle can be caused by an engine with worn rod or main bearings due to (usually) high mileage . This however does not mean the engine is still not serviceable as long as the oil pressure is low only at idle. The pressure should at minimum get into the normal range at anything above idle speed.Not much oil pressure is really necessary at LOW speed. At low speed, as long as there is oil getting to the bearings, even at low pressure, you are OK. In a high mileage engine the oil pressure is often low at idle simply because the oil pump is turning slowly and cannot maintain higher pressure between the larger than normal crankshaft and bearing clearances. As speed increases the pump turns faster and supplies more oil and the pressure should go higher. Low pressure as long as it is only at idle is not a problem. However at higher speeds the pressure should be in the normal range. Such a worn engine can benefit from higher viscosity (thicker) oil such as 20W-50 in above freezing weather and 10W-40 in winter. That will increase idle pressure and the thicker oil film maintains a better film between the worn parts
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