Sub Freezing Low Oil Pressure Dic Warning

[wyomingbob]

Hello All,

 

I own a 2003 GMC Sierra with the 6.0 liter gas engine and a little over 416,000 miles. The vehicle is parked outside because it does not fit in the garage with the attached service body. The vehicle is constantly subjected to sub freezing temperatures in Wyoming. When I start it in the morning, it usually gives me an oil pressure warning on the DIC for a few seconds. The vehicle was not ordered with an engine block heater, and I'm using factory approved oil. How much damage is being done for the few seconds of low oil pressure? Is this considered "normal?" Also, can a block heater be added? Thank you for your advice.

 

WyoBob

[69BOWTIE]

400 K miles I would not be to concerned about it,It is a little tough on it but if u have that many miles on it then I would say no problem.Yes they make alot of different type of heaters ,I say the block heaters r the best they usually take place of a freeze plug in the block.I tis a bit nippy out isn't it

[redvett]

If your not using 5W30 synthetic in your cold climate your hurting you engine without oil pressure.

[Rocco715]

416,000 wow thats awesome, sorry to stray off topic but thats nuts. ever done any major repairs or overhauls

[jnpaddison]

http://www.padheaters.com/index.html

 

go sythn - a must in those conditions ,,,

[wyomingbob]

Thank you all for your advice. The last oil change was conventional oil. I will switch to synthetic if it will make the truck go to 500k miles! I checked out the pad heater website, but was bummed that they did not list prices. I emailed for a pricelist to see if it is something that I can afford. Thanks again!

 

WyoBob

[AirForceAngler]

If you've gotten 416K miles on that truck by doing what you're doing now, I wouldn't change much at all. Maybe go to some synthetic oil, especially in the cold temps, but if you haven't hurt that motor by now, you aren't going to. And if something did go bad, well at 400+K, it could be a number of things.