What Causes High Oil Pressure?

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Hey there,

 

Ive got a '91 GTi which seems to have rather high oil pressure. At idle it seems to sit just over half, but with normal driving it goes up to just over 3/4 (which is over 6bar, I belive.. Sometimes it will reach nearly the top of the scale) It also seems to be weeping oil from at least the rocker cover, possibly other hoses, which does suggest the oil pressure is rather high, rather than just a dodgy guage.

This is with the oil level on minimum, or possibly just below.

 

What could be causing this? Im pretty much out of my depth now, so any help would be appreciated

 

One thought Ive had is that the new sump, with aircon compressor brackets might be a different profile, and therefore there is actually too much oil in it, even though the dipstick is displaying below minimum.

 

But knowing my luck its not.. and my engine is actually dying..

 

Thanks

 

Craig

[alync406 4]

It could have an uprated oil pump spring in it.This would give higher pressure,i am not sure how much though.

[large 33]

Bolcked oil filter? High oil pressure is down to a blockage in the system. The oil pressure is not produced by the pump but by the restriction in the circuit so high oil pressure= a bigger restriction.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

High oil pressure is not really a problem, and certainly won't cause oil leaks. Sitting at half on the guessometer at hot idle suggests a very healthy engine to me.

[nick 3]

An uprated spring won't give higher oil pressure when warm, only when the oil is cold (and only then if the pressure can reach the threshold of the std spring).

 

Nick

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Well, its a new oil filter, and all of the pipes have been removed and cleaned when the engine was out. Where is the blockage likely to be? No reason to stop driving it if it doesnt get any worse?

 

Thanks

 

Craig

[enrique 0]

I definitely agree with large on a blockage in the system. It doesn't have to be the oil filter, but a new oil filter could be defective. Oil goes through the crankshaft and a lot of ducts and passages in the engine. If any of these is blocked, it means some component is not being properly lubricated and cooled. Just my point of view, but I wouldn't drive it until I was sure about what's going on.

[Cameron 16]

I wouldn't worry about anything until you've tested it with a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Std gauges are pretty inaccurate at the best of times so the chances are it's just fine. If you had a major blockage somewhere the engine would have s*it it's pants long ago. If you're really worried about it take it to a garage and ask them to test the oil pressure but if you ask me you're probably wasting your time.

[brianthemagical 1]

Mine is currently topping out somewhere around the top of the gauge. Before i rebuilt the engine it was in the red during normal driving. Tunrs out (befroe i rebuilt the engine) it was down to the pressure sensor.

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Well, I live about 5mins drive away from Skip Browns, so I think I'll take it to them and ask them to check over it, as they should know what they are doing.

 

Thanks for the advice, hopefully its just a duff sensor, as Ive done over 200miles now, so Im sure it would have died by now!

[Redtop 14 2 Cars]

What type of oil filter is on it? I have seen a few cars in my time that have had problems with oil pressure when a different oil filter was used. I'd recommend putting a genuine one on it 1st if it isn't already, then take it from there if your worried about pressure:)

[Bally 4]

Have you went at the head recently. A mate of mine had the head gasket installed the wrong way so no oilwas getting to the head and he had high oil pressure. But the cam was eventually eaten down.

[allanallen 528 2 Cars]

An uprated spring won't give higher oil pressure when warm

 

in my experience uprated springs give higher oil pressure when warm. my rallye has nearly 60psi at idle when warm and thats defo higher