Oil pressure rising when accelerating!
Discussion
Hello all,
Not sure if I've just not noticed this before but, yesterday, when I accelerated to around 5,500 revs, I noticed the oil pressure gauge rose to around 5. At idle or 'normal' revs, it returns to a healthy 3.
Is this a sign of a problem to come?
If I blip the throttle I notice an associated slight small rise in the pressure.
Be gentle with me if it's not good news,
Best regards
Ian
Not sure if I've just not noticed this before but, yesterday, when I accelerated to around 5,500 revs, I noticed the oil pressure gauge rose to around 5. At idle or 'normal' revs, it returns to a healthy 3.
Is this a sign of a problem to come?
If I blip the throttle I notice an associated slight small rise in the pressure.
Be gentle with me if it's not good news,
Best regards
Ian
Thank you for the rapid responses
Engine was hot yesterday (showing normal temperature after a long run) when I noticed it go right up - engine was cold this morning when I 'blipped' the throttle and it just edged 3.25.
I did do a bit of 'Googling' and forum's responses range between "this is normal" (which would be great wouldn't it) to "this could be a sign that the pump is on the way out" or a "problem with the pressure release valve".
Ian
Engine was hot yesterday (showing normal temperature after a long run) when I noticed it go right up - engine was cold this morning when I 'blipped' the throttle and it just edged 3.25.
I did do a bit of 'Googling' and forum's responses range between "this is normal" (which would be great wouldn't it) to "this could be a sign that the pump is on the way out" or a "problem with the pressure release valve".
Ian
Woody VT said:
I would say the pump is fine, after all its generating pressure!
The relief valve is where I would look, personally.
How old is the oil and filter? How regularly is the car used?
The relief should operate at 52PSI (So about 3.5 BAR). The only reason, pressure should climb much beyond that is:
A) Oil temp is low and therefore it's thicker and harder to move (even when the relief operates) which is why we should be taking it easy on a cold engine until oil temp is at operating temp.
B) There is a flow restriction so a blocked galley/clogged filter/sludgey oil
C) The relief valve isn't operating correctly
My first point of action would be an engine flush followed by an oil and filter change as this is cheaper than getting into mechanics.
Use a mechanical gauge on the pressure side of the pump, after the relief to rule out the dash gauge. It's unlikely to be faulty but better to rule it out.
Look at the relief valve next. Change it and see what happens.
If that doesn't work, sadly things get expensive.
Had the oil changed in February at Monkfish (along with a 10k service + all other oils changed (5 year recommendation)) so oil should be OK.The relief valve is where I would look, personally.
How old is the oil and filter? How regularly is the car used?
The relief should operate at 52PSI (So about 3.5 BAR). The only reason, pressure should climb much beyond that is:
A) Oil temp is low and therefore it's thicker and harder to move (even when the relief operates) which is why we should be taking it easy on a cold engine until oil temp is at operating temp.
B) There is a flow restriction so a blocked galley/clogged filter/sludgey oil
C) The relief valve isn't operating correctly
My first point of action would be an engine flush followed by an oil and filter change as this is cheaper than getting into mechanics.
Use a mechanical gauge on the pressure side of the pump, after the relief to rule out the dash gauge. It's unlikely to be faulty but better to rule it out.
Look at the relief valve next. Change it and see what happens.
If that doesn't work, sadly things get expensive.
Edited by Woody VT on Wednesday 6th April 10:09
Car is used regularly and, in fact, I've been on holiday for the last week and a half so did about 1,000 miles in the last 10 days or so.
Re running temp, I am very careful to ensure car is warm before increasing revs - and I'm pretty gentle with it in general.
So, discounting the pump (I agree with your assumption that this is unlikely to be the cause) looks like a check on the relief valve.
A trip to chums in MW Performance (Chester) looks to be in order (Milton Keynes is just a bit too far - only for 'special occassions').
Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious or expensive - I'll also take her out for a run tonight to doubly check the corellation between revs and pressure reading and I'll post the actual figures - the more I think about it and on reflection, I'm pretty convinced that this only started happening yesterday - I noticed it straight away and can't believe that I would have missed it.
Best regards
Ian
Many thanks Woody,
And, apologies to you Roger for not dropping you guys a line thanking you for the excellent service and advice you provided in February when I was down there.
When you say 'sticking', is it possible that it could be 'unstuck'?
I'll certainly make sure it's hot tonight before carrying out my test - not too severe though - don't want anything to pop!
Ian
And, apologies to you Roger for not dropping you guys a line thanking you for the excellent service and advice you provided in February when I was down there.
When you say 'sticking', is it possible that it could be 'unstuck'?
I'll certainly make sure it's hot tonight before carrying out my test - not too severe though - don't want anything to pop!
Ian
Hi Araf,
Thank you for the response - car's only done 31k. I'd like to think that this is 'normal' but it seemed so noticeable when I noticed it (if that makes sense) I can't help thinking it's not been happening before.
I noticed on the way home from work tonight that the needle was 'wavering' a bit between just under 3 and over 3. Again, haven't noticed this before but you could be right that i'm now over sensitive.
I'll see how it goes for the next day or so - looks like it's gong to cost me though if I do need to have it done - apparently "a few hours work".
:-(
Again, thank you for the supporting words,
Best
Ian
Thank you for the response - car's only done 31k. I'd like to think that this is 'normal' but it seemed so noticeable when I noticed it (if that makes sense) I can't help thinking it's not been happening before.
I noticed on the way home from work tonight that the needle was 'wavering' a bit between just under 3 and over 3. Again, haven't noticed this before but you could be right that i'm now over sensitive.
I'll see how it goes for the next day or so - looks like it's gong to cost me though if I do need to have it done - apparently "a few hours work".
:-(
Again, thank you for the supporting words,
Best
Ian
Thank you Slippery/Liam for testing this out on yours.
I hope I haven't made you as paranoid as I am Slippery!
As you say, if we didn't have the gauge, we wouldn't have to worry - and there are no other signs of a problem.
Went to Daresbury this afternoon and, although not scientific, it looks like a slow increase to around 4500 revs has little effect on the pressure - I didn't get chance to take it to 5500 but it looks like the effects of doing that are similar on our vehicles. I guess I don't often take the car to that rev level and, perhaps, I just haven't noticed the gauge before when I have - too busy hanging on
.
That said, Liam's experience differs to ours - and I see you also have a VXR Liam (mine's a 2006 BTW).
Think I'll decide not to do anything for the moment though (can't afford it anyway) but I would really appreciate the feedback from Monkfish Slippery - thank you very much for offering.
Hope everything is OK - for both our sakes ...
Best regards
Ian
I hope I haven't made you as paranoid as I am Slippery!
As you say, if we didn't have the gauge, we wouldn't have to worry - and there are no other signs of a problem.
Went to Daresbury this afternoon and, although not scientific, it looks like a slow increase to around 4500 revs has little effect on the pressure - I didn't get chance to take it to 5500 but it looks like the effects of doing that are similar on our vehicles. I guess I don't often take the car to that rev level and, perhaps, I just haven't noticed the gauge before when I have - too busy hanging on
. That said, Liam's experience differs to ours - and I see you also have a VXR Liam (mine's a 2006 BTW).
Think I'll decide not to do anything for the moment though (can't afford it anyway) but I would really appreciate the feedback from Monkfish Slippery - thank you very much for offering.
Hope everything is OK - for both our sakes ...
Best regards
Ian
Mike Miranda said:
Unfortunately, since I posted this, I discovered that I was getting oil leaks when I put the engine under any stress.
Turned out I had 2 failed pistons - (that were causing bottom end pressure).
Not saying that this high pressure was an indicator and don't want to frighten anyone. The 2 may have been unconnected. This thread was started way before I had the oil leak problems.
Did struggle for a while to identify the issue as the car was running fine under normal conditions.
Upshot was I had a complete engine rebuild ... but fully forged. Large hole in pocket but running great now and bomb proof!
And no high oil pressure.
If you want to know a bit of history as to how we discovered the problem and what the resolution was, MW Performance nursed the car back to life for me.
Hope this helps,
Ian
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