ENGINE OIL PRESSURE

[JJFRANKIS]

HELLO EVERYONE - I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS, MY ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GUAGE GOES FROM 40 TO ALMOST 80. IS THIS NORMAL? THE LONGER I ACCELERATE, THE HIGH THE OIL PRESSURE GOES. IF IT IS NORMAL, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY?

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

JJ

[edman]

I can't say for sure whether this is normal or not, but I would assume it is because it's the same in helicopters. The higher the engine RPM, the higher the engine oil pressure. I'd say that there's a few things you should look at though with reference to this gauge.

 

When the engine oil pressure starts dropping to 40 and below with the oil temp gauge rising, you've got a pretty decent oil leak going on.

 

I wouldn't worry about higher pressure readings unless it's reading consistantly 80 or above. That may mean you've got too much oil in the system. But I'm not really sure.

 

Hope this helps.

-Ed

[TarheelZ]

JJ, what you're describing is normal. First of all, keep in mind that these gauges are not completely accurate, but as long as you have around 10 PSI for each 1000 RPM the engine is turning, you should be ok.

 

My last 3 GM trucks used to show about 40PSI when the engine was cold. Once it warmed up the pressure would drop to about 20PSI at idle. Upon acceleration, the pressure would go up.

 

My current truck is different: it always registers 40PSI or better whether the engine is cold or warm.

 

Don't worry...your truck sounds 'normal.'

[XTOAK]

We're assuming you're driving a gas engine and not a Duramax equipped truck....the Duramax always has higher oil pressure when the RPMs are up there and it can be a little alarming for those who haven't driven them.