It’s clear that low oil pressure is going to lead to severe damage to the engine if left unchecked, but what about high oil pressure? What does it do and what is high oil pressure from? We want to understand what to do if caused by operator error and/or mechanical fault.
In our guide, you can understand what the most common reasons for high oil pressure might be, the ideal working pressure, some ways to remedy high pressure, and some of the most frequently asked questions about oil pressure.
What is High Oil Pressure?
High oil pressure is when the oil pressure in the engine exceeds the normal operating range. Usually, your car should come with a gauge on the dashboard to indicate your oil pressure.
If the reading goes above the ‘normal’ range marked on the gauge, it indicates that you have high oil pressure. Most modern cars are also equipped with warning lights indicating low or high oil pressure, typically red or yellow.
If your oil pressure is too high, you might also notice other symptoms unrelated to your gauge and warning lights. These can include:
- Loud ticking or knocking noises, especially when starting
- Oil leaks or loss (increased pressure can force oil through the seals)
- Smoke from the exhaust (which occurs when high oil pressure causes oil to burn in the combustion chamber)
What oil pressure is normal? For most cars at idle, the normal oil pressure is 25 to 30 psi (pounds per square inch). With acceleration, this may reach up to 60 to 70 psi, depending on the vehicle and driving conditions.
However, it’s important to know that what is ‘normal’ can very from car to car (especially in high-performance vehicles, 70 psi is normal).
Understanding the risks of leaving high oil pressure unattended is important. In the short term, you may damage engine components (such as the oil filter, oil filter gasket, and other gaskets in the engine) due to the high pressure.
In the long term, high oil pressure can result in failure of more serious engine parts – including the oil pump itself. The risks are high and you should take action rapidly.
Reasons For High Oil Pressure
High oil pressure can result from a cold engine, wrong oil grade or poor-quality oil, and mechanically from a oil pressure sensor, faulty oil pressure gauge, oil passage blockage, damaged oil pump relief valve and dirty oil filter.
Overall, you should know all of the reasons to more accurately determine the problem with your vehicle.
#1. Cold Engine.
If you just started your car while the oil pressure is high, the cause may be a cold engine. It is perfectly normal for the oil pressure to be high at startup. In fact, it can be double what the pressure is after the engine is fully warmed up, if not more.
Hopefully you have better idea of the oil pressure once the engine has warmed up. A normal operating engine temperature is between 190 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If the pressure stays high after warming up, you want to start looking at the other cases stated below.
#2. Wrong Oil Grade.
Motor oil viscosity and grades are important to consider. Thin oils are better for colder weather due to their ability to move through the engine easier. However, in warmer weather, oil needs to be thick in order for it to create more pressure to flow easily.
In addition to viscosity, think about oil grade. You can choose conventional, synthetic or a noise reducing blend, depending on whatever your engine requires. If you aren’t using the proper grade, pressure can build.
Using the wrong type can also create other issues. You may notice performance and a reduction of fuel economy.
#3. Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor.
It’s possible the oil pressure in the engine is not actually high, it is merely a bad reading from the sensor. The oil pressure sensor monitors the information and sends it to the instrument cluster gauge.
The oil pressure sensor communicates with an electronic control module. When the sensor goes bad, the oil light may come on or blink to indicate something is wrong.
You may see these error codes with your compatible scanner:
- P0520 – Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch – Circuit Malfunction.
- P0521 – Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Range/Performance.
- P0522 – Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Low Voltage.
- P0523 – Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit High.
If the codes above are set, you will also see the Check Engine Light at the same time.
#4. Faulty Oil Pressure Gauge.
The sensor sends information to the dashboard gauge, where you will read the information. If the gauge is broken, you can receive a false reading, or it may display high oil pressure, even if it is low.
It is important to note that this condition doesn’t happen often, but it’s always possible. You may also see other gauges responding erratically depending on what is broken.
#5. Blocked Oil Passage.
The oil moves through the engine to carry and collect a lot of debris and dirt. If you don’t change the engine oil regularly, the debris can turn into sludge that will block the oil pathways.
Along with the high oil pressure, you may start to see some engine performance problems as well. The motor may start to sputter since the oil can’t flow freely through the system.
#6. Bad Oil Pump Relief Valve.
Relief valves are an important safety component of the engine. This valve allows the fluid to leave when the pressure becomes extreme. Relief valves are supposed to open automatically when the pressure reaches a certain range.
If the relief valve is stuck or broken, pressure will continue to build up to the point of having an abnormal pressure reading. If the valve is broken or stuck, you may also see some leaking out of the engine because of all of the pressure.
#7. Contaminated Or Damaged Oil Filter.
If you don’t perform oil changes regularly, you probably aren’t replacing the filter either. The oil filter is NOT designed to be changed less frequently, or last longer than, the oil change interval.
This means all the contaminants and dirt this filter trapped could have clogged/block the filter itself. This prevents oil from flowing freely, and oil pressure starts to build up.
With a blocked filter, one may also see dark black exhaust smoke in their exhaust, as contaminants make their way through the system. If this gets bad enough, one could also begin to hear knocking from the engine. If the filter is not changed, all of this continuing could lead to serious engine damage.
#8. Poor Quality Oil.
Along with the bad oil filter, you will also have contaminated oil if you have not performed a change. Conventional oil is not good for longer than 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and synthetic oil usually should be changed every 7,500 to 10,000.
If you have exceeded this maintenance interval, the oil has broken down and gotten dirty in viscosity. It will no longer lubricate the internal engine components, and you will likely start to notice issues with performance due to high oil pressure.
What’s the Ideal Oil Pressure?
Normal engine oil pressure is usually between 25 and 65 PSI, although this can vary depending on your vehicle and motor. Either way, you need the right oil pressure to ensure that the lubricant flows to all internal components of the motor.
When the oil pressure goes below these standards, you have low oil pressure. Low oil pressure can lead to loss of power, a burning smell, abnormal engine sounds, and eventually permanent damage to the engine.
When the oil pressure goes above the standards, you have high oil pressure. Generally, high oil pressure is caused by the oil having a less than optimum path through the crevices and bores to reach various areas of the engine.
At this point, the entire motor is still not lubricated with oil, leading to significant wear from the friction that may occur. You will need to rectify the issue quickly in both cases if you want to minimize wear on the engine.
How To Fix High Oil Pressure
Fixing high oil pressure might be easier than you think. To possible fix the high oil pressure issue, follow this guide.
- Let the engine run until it is warm. If you just started it, let it run for a few minutes if it was too cold to begin with.
- Verify the type of oil being used. If you are using a substance that is not designed or too viscous for your vehicle, you will want to replace the oil and filter. Refer to the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation for the type of oil to use.
- Change the oil and oil filter. If it’s close to the time for your vehicle’s typically scheduled maintenance, go ahead and change it out now. You can typically perform both in under 30 minutes at home for under $75. Even if you want to save time and take it to the local lube (you will probably still spend less than $125), this might save you the headache.
- Clean the oil passages. If you suspect you have a blockage or sludge in the system, you can take the first step by dropping and cleaning the oil pan, and use a brush and solvent to clean out the junk. You can also add a heavy-duty cleaning agent to the oil, if it does not also void any warranties, only if it is recommended by the manufacturer. Just follow all of the instructions on the product you choose.
If you fixed or eliminated all of these potential causes and you still have an issue, it is time to reach out to a mechanic. Testing the sensors and gauges can be a strange and tricky task and is best left to someone else who has mechanical expertise.
If you are going to try any of these on your own, reference this same information in your service manual. We are both professional mechanics and understand the importance of resolving this issue before it becomes a problem for your vehicle.
This is one rare time that it may be best to “give in” and let someone else from a local repair shop take a look at it.
Can you drive with high oil pressure?
No, you should not drive your vehicle at all if it has high oil pressure. Not only can that issue lead to serious engine damage but having high oil pressure consistently will lead to problems.
You should take it to a mechanic as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs.
How much does it cost to fix high oil pressure?
It really depends on what is going to need to be repaired; an oil change and new filter can be less than $75.
However, if a mechanical issue is present, it can cost a little more to fix, especially if you get a mechanic involved. For example, replacing an oil pressure sensor may cost you $175.
Will overfilling oil cause high oil pressure?
Yes, if you overfill your oil based on the manufacturer’s specification you could cause high oil pressure. The extra oil increases the pressure in the motor.
The oil will begin to move around, looking for a way out of the motor, pushing against the seals and gaskets; so a leak is bound to happen if the oil level is not returned to the proper level.
Will an oil change fix high oil pressure?
If you have put the wrong oil in the system or it has been a while since it has changed, replacing the filter and oil change may help.
The contaminants in the oil could increase the pressure once the lubricant properties have diminished. However, if the pressure is still high after an oil and filter change, I would suggest taking it to a mechanic.
Will adding oil lower the oil pressure?
If the system does not have enough oil in it, more than likely, the pressure will be low as well, and adding oil is not going to help. You may need to change the oil and filter, especially if it is old and hasn’t been changed regularly.
If you are paying attention to your gauges on your dash, you will also know when the oil pressure begins to move beyond normal limits. If you act fast enough, you may be able to prevent larger, more costly problems that will occur.
Check oil type and viscosity. You may do an oil and filter change if it is contaminated. Otherwise, you will need to see a mechanic for assistance.