High oil pressure
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
High oil pressure I have a 1999 Camaro ss that I did a cam and heads build on last winter. The other day going through a yellow light I dropped a gear and floored it and when I looked down the oil pressure was pinned all the way past 80psi. I managed to baby it home and did a little research but I’m now stumped. I assumed it was probably a bad opsu but while babying it back if I was going 30mph in 6th gear at around 500rpm the oil pressure was around 40psi. While I was at stop lights the oil pressure was rapidly fluctuating between 40psi and 80psi. While putting the engine under any load pressure rapidly built and then the gauge was pinned well past 80psi. I was under the impression if it’s a bad sending unit it will stay pinned no matter what. Was I wrong to assume that? I plan on changing it out and taking a look at the pick up tube o ring and possibly replacing the oil pump itself incase it’s a stuck shut pressure relief valve. Before I do any work I was wondering if anyone has dealt with a similar issue.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 8
Likes: 6
I have a 1999 Camaro ss that I did a cam and heads build on last winter. The other day going through a yellow light I dropped a gear and floored it and when I looked down the oil pressure was pinned all the way past 80psi. I managed to baby it home and did a little research but I’m now stumped. I assumed it was probably a bad opsu but while babying it back if I was going 30mph in 6th gear at around 500rpm the oil pressure was around 40psi. While I was at stop lights the oil pressure was rapidly fluctuating between 40psi and 80psi. While putting the engine under any load pressure rapidly built and then the gauge was pinned well past 80psi. I was under the impression if it’s a bad sending unit it will stay pinned no matter what. Was I wrong to assume that? I plan on changing it out and taking a look at the pick up tube o ring and possibly replacing the oil pump itself incase it’s a stuck shut pressure relief valve. Before I do any work I was wondering if anyone has dealt with a similar issue.
So many possibilities...start with replacing sensor with a mechanical one to rule out something electrical. If still the same then you know it's internal and likely the oil pump. If not, test the sensor with a meter and either replace or look for a bad ground. This is the path I would take before I start dropping the oil pan and removing front accessories to replace the pump on a hunch.
