Hey guys, wondering if you can help me out with this one. My oil pressure gauge will shoot towards 80 (max on the gauge) when initially pressing the gas. It will revert back to it's normal pressure and fluctuate here and there as your driving. I don't think something wrong with the pump because that would give you lower oil pressure readings, mine's over-doing it. Do you think it's the gauge, sensor, or switch of some sort? The car has about 110K miles on it by the way. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I think your problem is it's a Chevy. j/k My old Pontiac used to do the same thing. I don't think it's an issue.

 

It sounds like the oil pressure sending unit (usually located next to the distributor) is malfunctioning.

With the ignition key "On" (engine not running), unplug the wire on the sending unit. The needle on the gauge should read zero or below zero.

Then use a jumper wire and ground the wire from the sending unit. The needle on the gauge should read 80 or above.

If the results of the test are as indicated above, the gauge and wiring are O.K. and the sending unit is most likely defective.

 

Nobody in OT knows anything about cars

 

your oil pressure varies when you drive. As rpms climb, so does oil pressure. Doesn't sound like anything is wrong, you just have your first working gauge. A lot of "oil gauges" from the factory just tell you if the minimum oil pressure is met. They don't track the fluctuations because people would bring their cars in for what they perceived as an "oil pressure problem" too often.

 

It's actually my father's car. I never buy domestic unless it's a classic muscle car. They're pretty much made of plastic these days.


The car has about 110K miles on it. There is something wrong because it hasn't does this over the past few years that I've had it. I know too much oil pressure isn't that big of a deal (compared to low oil pressure), but I would still like to resolve this before it leads to something bigger. I can't believe I just got told how rpms relate to oil pressure lol.

I'll give this a shot. I figure it was either blockage in the high pressure lines or maybe even the pressure relief valve. Your idea sounds like a good way to make sure it's not the gauge and test the sending unit. Thanks.