With these "Sub-Arctic" temps we're having up in the North East, what oil pressure is dangerous for the motor at start up?
Can anyone help?

With these "Sub-Arctic" temps we're having up in the North East, what oil pressure is dangerous for the motor at start up?
Can anyone help?

Shouldn't make that big of a difference with temps making any higher than normal. Obviously in cold its a lil higher cause of the oil being thick. Mine down here in la have been 80 on startup and as it warms goes down. Do you have a block heater? If not just try to not let it sit for multiple days on the very cold. What's your reading?

Bee,
Thanks. I keep it garaged and every mechanic I've ever talked to say an engine block heater is one more spot for there to be a problem. Try to limit holes into the block!
I'm getting 82 psi on startup and it drops down to about 50 - 60 once warmed up. I believe it may drop to 40s when warm and at a stop light.
My stealership changed my oil and when I checked it the next day, it was a little too high above the full line for my liking, so I've been watching the oil pressure like a hawk.
I've been told that's where any damage can happen from too much oil.
I have a catch can, so I'm thinking the level will only go down from here, but want to make sure I'm not doing damage.
I'm glad to see you're getting 80 in the Bayou.

Bee,
Thanks. I keep it garaged and every mechanic I've ever talked to say an engine block heater is one more spot for there to be a problem. Try to limit holes into the block!
I'm getting 82 psi on startup and it drops down to about 50 - 60 once warmed up. I believe it may drop to 40s when warm and at a stop light.
My stealership changed my oil and when I checked it the next day, it was a little too high above the full line for my liking, so I've been watching the oil pressure like a hawk.
I've been told that's where any damage can happen from too much oil.
I have a catch can, so I'm thinking the level will only go down from here, but want to make sure I'm not doing damage.
I'm glad to see you're getting 80 in the Bayou.


Nope your good bro! The block heater just keeps the oil warm so it's not so thick. Yea seems every dealer just adds the oil said And never checks that they mite have not gotten all the old oil out. The lil extra oil us fine and most high performance vechicles they tell you to add extra oil when racing do to oil consumption. So sounds like your all good bro and don't worry if the oil is just a lil over the engine will eventually burn it off.

I keep it garaged and every mechanic I've ever talked to say an engine block heater is one more spot for there to be a problem. Try to limit holes into the block!
On many engines the block heater is mounted in place of a freeze plug with the heating element immersed in engine coolant, which could be a problem if it leaks. BUT, on the 6.1L engine the heater is not immersed in engine coolant, it makes direct contact with the block. The "hole" in the block is present whether a heater has been installed or not. So adding a block heater would not open the potential for any problems. However, adding a block heater to a 6.1 is very difficult due to the limited amount of room around the mounting area. Being that your vehicle is garaged a block heater will really not be necessary.


I'm getting 82 psi on startup and it drops down to about 50 - 60 once warmed up. I believe it may drop to 40s when warm and at a stop light.
No worries. Oil pressure spec is 04 psi minimum at curb idle and 25-110 psi @3000 rpm.

My stealership changed my oil and when I checked it the next day, it was a little too high above the full line for my liking, so I've been watching the oil pressure like a hawk.
I've been told that's where any damage can happen from too much oil.
I have a catch can, so I'm thinking the level will only go down from here, but want to make sure I'm not doing damage.
When under development the 6.1 engine was tested at a low of 5 quarts of oil and a high of 8 quarts - with no issues developing. A reading above the full line is normal when adding the recommended 7-quarts of oil. Plenty of "wiggle" room.

On many engines the block heater is mounted in place of a freeze plug with the heating element immersed in engine coolant, which could be a problem if it leaks. BUT, on the 6.1L engine the heater is not immersed in engine coolant, it makes direct contact with the block. The "hole" in the block is present whether a heater has been installed or not. So adding a block heater would not open the potential for any problems. However, adding a block heater to a 6.1 is very difficult due to the limited amount of room around the mounting area. Being that your vehicle is garaged a block heater will really not be necessary.

No worries. Oil pressure spec is 04 psi minimum at curb idle and 25-110 psi @3000 rpm.

RS...You rock. 110 psi? I'm WAY below that. Thanks for posting this. Its not on the forum anywhere, so I'm glad to see this from a reliable source.
I'm not in the cold long enough to warrant a block heater. Good to know that the block heater isn't a potential problem on the SRT for anyone else considering it.


When under development the 6.1 engine was tested at a low of 5 quarts of oil and a high of 8 quarts - with no issues developing. A reading above the full line is normal when adding the recommended 7-quarts of oil. Plenty of "wiggle" room.

I was reading all the related posts about adding 7 quarts and how that wasn't the correct level and such. Thank you for posting the facts here. I also have been worried when my catch can would fill up, that my poor engine would be "low" on oil. I now know it wasn't anywhere close to 2 quarts low! :eek:

Now, any photos of the 2012 beast in hiding? LOL

this is the kind of info im seeking! i was thinking way too much about this over this past weekend

cheers guys

Hey guys, so what is too low? I was reading 21 psi on the way to work today, its about 15 degrees and I just put on a CC. Is that too low?

No worries. Oil pressure spec is 04 psi minimum at curb idle and 25-110 psi @3000 rpm.

You're close to the minimum. I'd check your oil level when cooled down.