What Causes High Oil Pressure in a Chevy Truck?

If you own a Chevy truck, you’ve no doubt asked yourself at some point: “what causes high oil pressure in my truck?” And while the answer may depend on your specific model and year, there are some common issues that can cause this problem.

In this article, we take a deep dive into what causes high oil pressure and how to diagnose it. We’ll also look at how to fix it—so you can get back on the road without any worries.

What Does High Oil Pressure Mean?

High oil pressure or oil pressure is a serious problem! If the oil pressure is too high, it is the same as a car running out of oil. The oil pump must work harder to pump oil through the engine and this will overheat the engine and dry out the bearings.

This may cause you to lose your engine or transmission. Always be aware of what your oil pressure is. It will be normal when you start your car, but as the temp rises, it should be anywhere from 40 to 60 PSI. Check your auto manual for specifics. 

What Causes High Oil Pressure in a Chevy Truck? The 9 Causes of High Oil Pressure

Idle Engine Pressure

Starting an automobile takes more effort, resulting in more pressure than idling the engine. The temperature of the engine has an impact on how it operates.

The engine begins to cool down by the time it is turned off. This holds true for the oil that circulates through the machine.

As the oil heats up, the temperature rises when you start the engine. The pressure builds up to the point where it can flow through the engine. Cold oil seems viscous, causing it to flow more slowly than heated oil.

Wrong Oil Grade

Experimenting with different oil grades might be risky, especially if you don’t seek advice from a professional. Different oil grades have different viscosities and are designed for different engine types.

You may notice an extremely high oil pressure if you use the improper oil grade for your automobile engine. The owner’s handbook will tell you what oil quality is best for your engine.

Blocked Oil Passage

The limitation of oil flow is one of the primary causes of high oil pressure. This might be the result of a blockage, which is a major issue. A buildup of sludge or a carbon deposit anywhere in the oil flow frequently causes this.

Removing a clog takes time and is thus expensive. It necessitates the use of particular instruments and a thorough understanding of how to destroy the system.

Cleaning the lubricating system is part of the procedure. Cooling jets, passage lines, orifice dowels, hoses, and plugs, as well as any auxiliary components, are all included.

Problem with the Oil Pressure Sensor

Is it possible that your engine has a high oil pressure yet the sensor or gauge is showing you the incorrect oil pressure?

A defective oil pressure sensor or oil pressure gauge might potentially be the cause of excessive oil pressure. It might give you the misleading impression that the gauge is showing abnormally high pressure when, in fact, the pressure is normal.

Before you start dismantling your engine, use a manual oil pressure tester to determine the correct pressure.

A Faulty Pressure Relief Valve

A clogged or malfunctioning pressure release valve is another possible reason. These, on the other hand, are rarely in danger.

One thing to keep in mind regarding a defective pressure relief valve is that you cannot troubleshoot it while it is in use. For automobile owners, it must be removed from the engine, thoroughly cleaned, and then reinstalled.

However, the oil pressure measurement may remain constant in rare cases. This time, you should look at different places where an issue may exist. If the reading returns to normal, the issue has been rectified!

Dirty Oil Filter

Most oil filters last for roughly 3,000 miles before needing to be replaced. They become less effective when trash accumulates. When there is too much oil gathered, the flow of oil is impeded.

Sputtering or metallic sounds, a loss in engine performance, or black, sooty exhaust are all signs of a filthy oil filter.

An oil filter may be replaced very easily yourself, or you can pay a business to do it for you. Expect to pay a little extra if your engine requires synthetic oil.

Poor Quality Oil

If you bought a low-cost oil, there might be an issue with the oil grades, and the other specs may not match reality.

High or low pressure can be caused by using low-quality oil. A thin or lightweight oil of poor quality can readily travel through the engine, causing low pressure, but thick oil requires a high pressure to flow.

If you switch to a different brand of oil and observe an increase in pressure, it’s possible that the new oil isn’t healthy for your engine.

Defective Sending Unit

A faulty sending unit is one of the most prevalent reasons for excessive oil pressure. Most automobile owners assume that if the gauge reading changes frequently, their cars would cease operating correctly.

However, don’t dismiss these adjustments because the problem might be caused by a faulty transmitting unit.

A multimeter is required to solve this problem. It must be set to the resistance range. Check to check if the resistance is 240 ohms. It’s time to replace the oil-sending unit if it doesn’t give you this number.

Damaged Oil Pump or Worn Bearings

Cars evolve and require maintenance over time. Auto owners may have forgotten to inspect the other car parts at some point. When you bring your automobile in for a checkup, it’s usually a good idea to check the other components as well.

Whether you’re changing the oil or checking the tire pressure, it’s always a good idea to double-check everything to protect your safety.

What is the Ideal Oil Pressure?

When the engine oil is warm and at 1000-3000 rpm, the optimal oil pressure varies between 25 and 65 psi, while if the oil pressure measurement is 80 psi or more when the engine is warm, there is a major concern.

Of course, this is dependent on the engine you have and how worn it is. I recommend consulting your automobile repair manual if you want to find out what oil pressure you should have in your engine.

Will High Oil Pressure Damage My Car?

High oil pressure may not be a problem by itself. If your car is well maintained, then you probably won’t even experience any symptoms of it.

If you do experience any symptoms like the engine running smoothly when cold but stalling while driving it and producing blue smoke, then you will have to fix the high oil pressure problem.

The first thing that you can try to do is to lower the oil viscosity grade. You should consult the manual of your car to see the oil viscosity grade that is recommended for your car to run smoothly.

It will be different for different cars. The second thing that you can try is to run the car for a longer period of time to let the oil cool down. You can also add a quart of oil to the engine to prevent it from stalling.

What Type of Oil Affected Oil Pressure?

Well, the oil pressure is affected not by the type of oil but by the temperature of the oil. The hotter the oil, the less pressure it can sustain. This is the reason, you must maintain the oil temperature within a specified range.

How Do I Check My Oil Pressure?

You can check your car’s oil pressure in two ways:

1st, you can purchase a pressure gauge, keep it in your car and check it every 3 months or so. If you’re doing really good with your oil changes, try doing it once a year. This will ensure that your car’s engine stays happy, and will last you a long time.

The other way to check the oil pressure is to just pop the hood and see if you can see the oil pressure on your engine. If you can, then you’re good. If you can’t see the oil pressure, then you might need to get under the hood to see if there is oil on the dipstick, or if there’s just a bad reading.

If you do end up getting under the hood, look for any broken belts or belts that don’t have enough tension on them. If they’re not up to par, have them replaced ASAP. If they are doing great, then you’ll have to replace the oil pressure sender unit.

How Often Should I Check My Oil Pressure?

You should check your oil pressure every time you change your oil. Checking your engine’s oil pressure is one of the easiest ways to determine your engine’s overall health.

Before you check the oil pressure, you should clean the oil pressure port and make sure the hose is in place and secure. An oil pressure gauge should read between 10 and 70 psi when the engine is cold.

Can I Drive a Car With High Oil Pressure?

It depends on what your car is. If you have a car that was built before 1968, driving it with high oil pressure is acceptable. This is because the older cars have no oil pressure warning system.

Also, they have no electronic ignition systems. However, cars built after 1968, require the engine to run on a certain oil pressure level. Also, check your owner’s manual to see if the pressure is mentioned in the manual.

Conclusion

If your oil pressure gauge starts to rise, diagnose the problem before it becomes a major issue. It is preferable to invest a few hundred dollars now rather than a few thousand dollars afterward.

To guarantee that your lubricating system is capable of performing its function. Make sure you stick to a maintenance schedule that includes regular oil changes and the replacement of the oil filter.