High oil pressure? (Distinguishing between normal and harmful causes)
Motor oil circulates through your engine via the oil pump. High oil pressure occurs when the oil thickens or the oil passages become clogged. However, there are times when high oil pressure is normal and not a cause for concern. Here’s how to tell the difference: Usual causes of high oil pressure:
1) Cold start (problems starting your car)
When you first start your engine, the oil pressure will be quite high. This is because engine oil is thicker at ambient temperature than at operating temperature.
2) High speed
The oil pump is driven by the engine crankshaft. The faster your engine revs, the harder it has to pump the oil (just like your heart does when you’re running). The oil pressure will naturally rise as you rev ​​your engine. Cars are designed to function in a way that keeps the engine properly lubricated even under load.
3) Low Ambient Temperature (Car is Hard to Start in Cold Weather)
The colder the oil is, the thicker it becomes. When it’s cold outside, especially during a cold start, the oil becomes even thicker than normal. If you’re having trouble starting your car in cold weather, try switching to an oil that has a higher viscosity at ambient temperature. It’s the number to the left of the W. For example, try 5W-30 instead of 10W-30 in the winter.
Causes of high oil pressure problems
1) Clogged oil channels
Dirt in the engine can clog the narrow oil channels in the cylinder head and engine block. Clogs in the oil galleries can restrict engine oil flow and cause high oil pressure.
This is a potentially serious problem. Clogs can restrict or block flow to parts of the engine. This means parts of the engine are not properly lubricated, causing excessive heat and wear. In extreme cases, this can lead to catastrophic failure.
2) Dirty engine oil
If you run your oil for an extended period of time without changing it, it will get dirty over time. As the oil gets dirty, it will gradually thicken due to carbon and other deposits that have built up in the engine. If left unattended for an extended period of time, the engine oil will start to turn into a thick sludge that will harden the inside of the engine. Typically, it takes more than 10,000 miles for this sludge to build up. Some full synthetic oils are actually rated to last up to 20,000 miles under certain conditions, and you can easily go 10,000 miles without developing sludge. Keep in mind that both the engine and the oil must be designed for this length of oil change interval. Still, your environment and driving style are key factors in extending your oil change interval.
3) Incorrect oil viscosity (engine oil viscosity)
Using a thicker oil will increase oil pressure under the same driving conditions. In some cases this can be desirable. For example, towing or racing on a hot day generates a lot of heat in the engine. A hot engine thins the oil. Some drivers compensate by using a thicker oil under certain conditions.
Too thick oil will cause too much oil pressure. This can restrict oil flow and cause the same oil starvation problems that occur if the engine is not given enough oil.
In most vehicles, you won’t know what your oil pressure is unless there is a problem. In most cases, if there is no warning light on, you don’t need to worry too much about the oil pressure.
If you want to actually check your oil pressure, you can purchase oil pressure check kits that will help you determine if the oil is within normal range. Additionally, there are aftermarket gauges that can connect to your oil supply and display your oil pressure while you’re driving. Real Oil Pressure Gauges
In most cases, you won’t know the exact oil pressure, but some vehicles are equipped with real oil pressure gauges that display the oil pressure in real time. Real oil pressure gauges have been phased out over time because high oil pressure often makes drivers anxious.
When looking at these gauges, keep in mind that very high oil pressure is normal immediately after starting the car and for about 10 minutes after you first drive it. If you’re concerned that your oil pressure reading is different than you expect, check online forums for your specific year, make, and model to see what readings other owners of the same vehicle have experienced.
