High Oil Pressure - A Problem?

[Droppstang]

I've owned my 82 now for about 2 weeks, but I've noticed that the oil pressure gage is always high... like pretty much at the limit. Is this a bad thing? And if so, what could be causing this that I could fix? Or is it fine and nothing bad will happen?

 

[chobracobra]

When was the last time you changed it? Is it the right viscosity? if you live in a cold area it should be 5W-30. If you have a heavy weight oil in there, the pressure would be high. If the guage starts to lower as the engine gets hot you have the wrong oil. also check the funcionality of the guage itself.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Aye....high oil pressure is generally good for engine life, but it has it's negative effects too- makes it more likely for a crackshaft seal to leak (which we all know happen often on our cars), and can cost you a tenth or two as the engine has more pressure to overcome to rev.

I've read about guys dropping .2 in the 1/4 mile simply from switching from 20w50 to 5w30....

 

[04sleeper]

Is this the reading on the factory gauge? If so I would suggest trying a good aftermarket gauge like autometer just to be sure it is high. Also I would check the sending unit.

 

[Droppstang]

Thanks for the feedback. yeah, factory guage so I'll probably getting a cluster anyways for pressure and temperature. Havn't changed the oil yet but I will be putting 5w30 in for sure cause it's bloody cold here right now... l

 

[Look Its Aaron]

Before you start buying gauges changing viscosity and all that other good stuff, check to make sure there is not too much oil in the crankcase. Just simply check the dipstick and make sure it is on Level first then check back with us here.

 

[Droppstang]

Checked the dip, not a problem.. it's right in the good range.

 

[dastang2]

i wouldn't put 5w30 in any older car, that stuff is super thin. look at the oil filter to see if it is bulging out. also if the sending wire is grounded out to any metal on the car, the gauge,if working, will peg out all the way on high.

 

[HISSIN50]

i wouldn't put 5w30 in any older car, that stuff is super thin. look at the oil filter to see if it is bulging out. also if the sending wire is grounded out to any metal on the car, the gauge,if working, will peg out all the way on high.

DA, we are on the same page.
if the filter is toast (clogged) the bypass kicks in and you dont have the pressure drop that comes with filtering. a real gauge is the only way to know what gives.
and you can check the sender wire (ohm it out) to see if it is shorted. if it is super cold there, 5W30 is not a horrible choice. if you have very low pressure, you know that something thicker might be in order. (i have the opposite problem - it is very very hot here in the desert).

good luck.

 

[IndyBlk5.0]

That happened to me, it was my sending unit that went bad. Mine is almost to the top, and never moves... Same as yours?

 

[Michael Yount]

The factory gauge does little more than the idiot light does. Until/unless you have an accurate aftermarket gauge, trying to troubleshoot potential oil pressure issues is like pissing into the wind. You won't be happy with the results.