Pontiac Repair: Oil Pressure drop, low oil pressure, psi pressure

Question
hello there, I bought a 1900 pontiac 6000 le with the 3.1 engine in it off a older ladie who didnt drive it alot (50,000kms) the car runs perfect however when i am sitting at a red light the oil pressure drops alot. (normally around 3/4s while on the highway and will drop to about a 1/4 sitting at a red light) the last owner changed the oil apx 1000kms ago and he used syn. oil im not sure if he changed the filter too (i would only assume he did) do you have any idea what this could be and any possible ideas what i should do
thank you very much


Answer
Hi Dale:

well it's one of 2 things. either the engine is wore out causing the low oil pressure or the guage is bad. to find out put a mechanical gauge on the engine instead of the electronic gauge on the dash and see what the pressure is with the engine hot and in gear. some of these engines can have as little as 5 psi pressure when hot.. and that is considered normal but not to MY liking. if it is indded that low the engine is worn out inside most likley from short trip driving. the only way to fix it is to have the engine taken apart and "freshend up" with new bearings and a oil pump. You cna put a bad aid on this buy putting a heavier weight of oil in it. but in thw winter it will be hard starting. good luck :)