Oil Pressure Suddenly @ 80psi !

[YukonRog]

Guess I could put my code reader on it but I doubt it would show me anything. I'm just beside myself thinking it's another sender. My luck I guess. PNW VietVet, I totally get why you suggest checking the system with the mechanical gauge. Since I'm OCD and all. Maybe if I had one. But again like I said, I'd just as soon install a relocation kit. Then I could do anything since it would be easy access. At this point I'm so frustrated I want to sell it!

 

[OR VietVet]

All it was was a recommendation and a reason why I recommend it. You do what you want. It is your rig, but if I have to climb in there and change a sensor/sender again, I am going to take the time and PITA to check off that I did check actual mechanical oil pressure and not have to worry about it. Again, your call.

 

[OR VietVet]

@PNW VietVet if it was anything but pegged, absolutely
I used to check with a tech2 if there was anything else going on with the cluster, fuel gauge didn’t move, or 100mph in park... but I’ve never managed to fix a pegged oil pressure gauge with anything other than a sensor[/QUOTE]


Out of all the years I worked at and ran shops I will tell you this. I wish everything that every happened on any rig that came in to my shops, always always always failed and fixed in the same way with the same complaint that started it, but it did not. Pattern failures cause TSB's to be developed because EVERY vehicle with the same problem that is on the same vehicle was diagnosed as ONE thing wrong and can be fixed by doing the SAME repair each time. I loved those for quick easy repairs. This problem he is having is ongoing and needs a little further digging, IMO, even if the test results are not conclusive. But again, you diagnose and fix them the way you want. It is your call always.

 

[ks03]

@PNW VietVet maybe a better question than why, is what are you looking to see on a mechanical gauge? You know you don’t have 80psi of oil pressure with the key on and engine off.

 

[OR VietVet]

The OP did not say that the 80 psi was with KOEO and I assumed his wife meant while engine is running. My mechanical gauge recommendation was to attach and monitor the pressure at a cold start and then warm up and while driving. I never once said anything about a KOEO reading.

What I am looking for is anything that I can see while gauge is attached. What do you see with no gauge attached, NOTHING but what a dash reads out. A mechanical can show swings of pressure or a drop and then back up that a dash gauge may not respond fast enough to show. Literally, I am looking for anything out of the ordinary. In the scheme of things for hunting down problems, I like to leave no stone unturned till I KNOW I found the actual problem and can guarantee a fix.

 

[YukonRog]

Guys, my wife did notice it while driving. I just checked it with Key On and Engine Off and it does peg. I also looked online and I guess I can buy a mechanical gauge for $20. Also let me give you some more background info. The original sender failed at about 160k. I replaced it with a cheap Dorman and apparently didn't get the squash washer in correctly. It was caught on the threads crooked so it eventually blew oil all over the place. Then I replaced that one with an AC Delco one I purchased from Amazon. So 3 units, but one due to my fault. Question: Isn't there another port on the motor I can check actual pressure with?

 

[YukonRog]

Also, if the engine was really producing 80psi wouldn't I see it present in a bulging oil filter?

 

[OR VietVet]

Also, if the engine was really producing 80psi wouldn't I see it present in a bulging oil filter?

The burst pressure of the filter is likely higher but not by much. I don't think it is at 80 psi all the time. It sounds like you only care that the pressure is not 80 psi and the gauge be correct and I would be too if it was a one time thing. Since the first was a sensor that failed after a lot of miles, 160k, that is normal. The next was a leak caused by you and I get it because it happens. Then the 3rd one is supposed to be a quality sensor and then it pegs at 80 psi. These steps were not shared to begin with. What was shared is that you had replaced multiple times. Likely no oil pump problems but I am the curious type. I stated what I would do and my concerns. Likely not yours and just a new sensor will take care of it and the wife is happy. Had I known the complete history of why the sensors were replaced I may not have recommended the gauge test.

Guarantee you one thing though. When I ran shops, I would have asked enough questions that I would have known the history right off the bat, instead of post #16.

 

[YukonRog]

The burst pressure of the filter is likely higher but not by much. I don't think it is at 80 psi all the time. It sounds like you only care that the pressure is not 80 psi and the gauge be correct and I would be too if it was a one time thing. Since the first was a sensor that failed after a lot of miles, 160k, that is normal. The next was a leak caused by you and I get it because it happens. Then the 3rd one is supposed to be a quality sensor and then it pegs at 80 psi. These steps were not shared to begin with. What was shared is that you had replaced multiple times. Likely no oil pump problems but I am the curious type. I stated what I would do and my concerns. Likely not yours and just a new sensor will take care of it and the wife is happy. Had I known the complete history of why the sensors were replaced I may not have recommended the gauge test.

Guarantee you one thing though. When I ran shops, I would have asked enough questions that I would have known the history right off the bat, instead of post #16.

Sorry. In my haste and frustration I did not give all the full details and for that I apologize. I really do understand your thought process though. I obsess over those kind of things myself and now that you've planted that nasty little seed....well you got me thinking. LOL!

 

[ks03]

I am suspect of the legitimacy of amazons ac delco sensors.
1477 ratings and 0 reviews, first seller listed has 3 reviews.
Manages to sell them for $20 while rock auto is $34 and gmpartsdirect is $45