18 Yukon XL 5.3L Oil Pressure

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redss2000

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Just picked a 18 Yukon XL (57k) with 5.3L. I noticed at idle the Oil pressure drops to about 20psi at idle but goes right back up to 40psi while driving. Anyone experience this?

My 2014 Sierra has the 5.3L (103k) as well and I've never seen it drop down to 20psi, only as low as 30psi but mostly stays at about 40psi most of the time or a little higher.

I think I want to take it to a dealer to have it looked at before the 60k Powertrain is up.

Any insight/experiences would be helpful!
 

THarber

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My 6.2 in 2019 Yukon does the same thing. My tuner / transmission guy says they are designed this way to save fuel. They have a variable speed oil pump and just don't need that much at idle. My alternator output drops on long trips too, another fuel saving feature they say.

Tim
 
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akbrener

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These new engines have a variable displacement oil pump. 20 at hot idle is normal, as long as it reacts to throttle you are fine.
 

Joseph Garcia

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Just picked a 18 Yukon XL (57k) with 5.3L. I noticed at idle the Oil pressure drops to about 20psi at idle but goes right back up to 40psi while driving. Anyone experience this?

My 2014 Sierra has the 5.3L (103k) as well and I've never seen it drop down to 20psi, only as low as 30psi but mostly stays at about 40psi most of the time or a little higher.

I think I want to take it to a dealer to have it looked at before the 60k Powertrain is up.

Any insight/experiences would be helpful!

Your oil pressures are normal. Change it often, use a quality oil filter, and they will stay that way.
 

STORMIN08

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10psi per 1000rpm is all that is needed at idle, or even running if do the math. for some reason witht the LS/LT series...everyone wants to see 70-80 psi, not sure why, but the DOD may have something to do with that.
 
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redss2000

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thanks guys! Just checking since my truck with the same generation motor seems to have higher PSI.
 

mk2sprite

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Im interested in this issue also. I just drove a 2017 59k miles. The pressure at start up was about 40 dropping to just below 40 after 5 min warm up. Once on the road and hot, 80 degrees outside temp +/- at speed it was pushing about 40 but in traffic it dropped into the 30's then 20's and about 20 at hot idle Talked with a well versed chevy dealer mechanic and he told me the tolerences were tight and that the light on this model goes on at only 5psi and the range of the gauge seemed normal for 0w40 synthetic which he told me is the oil used for this engine.
I am not used to seeing a gauge fluctuate like this and has me worried. The engine felt strong and sounded fine.
My 2002 burban with 5.3 and 270000 miles holds a steady 45 psi hot.
I amd going to try and have them investigate it before purchase.
 

pwtr02ss

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That's normal. Mine 19 Denali is 18-20 at hot idle, 38-40 at cruising speed. Will jump to the 60 range at WOT. As others have stated, they have a variable pressure pump
 

Miami-Dade

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Talked with a well versed chevy dealer mechanic and he told me the tolerences were tight and that the light on this model goes on at only 5psi and the range of the gauge seemed normal for 0w40 synthetic which he told me is the oil used for this engine.
Your 2017 calls for 0w20. It should be written on your oil cap. In my neck of the woods [Miami&NYC] it is either Mobil 1 or AC Delco. My oil pressure stays [5.3] in the 38-40 range.
 

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