What Is High Oil Pressure?
High oil pressure occurs when an unusually high amount of pressure is required to circulate oil through the engine of a car. Most cars have oil pressure gauges that show how much pressure is used to circulate the oil. After a car runs for approximately 20 minutes, the needle on the gauge should settle at the midpoint. If it settles toward the top of the gauge, this indicates high oil pressure.
High oil pressure is a serious problem that leads to engine failure in a matter of minutes. If the problem is not fixed, or a car continues to run with high oil pressure, the whole engine may need to be replaced.
There are a few different causes of high oil pressure. The most common cause is a bad pressure relief valve. This auto part is responsible for regulating the oil pressure in a car and preventing it from getting too high. Another possible cause of high oil pressure is a blockage in the oil delivery lines. There are many different components the oil passes through to lubricate the engine. Even the smallest blockage can cause high oil pressure. Lastly, a malfunctioning oil pump can restrict the flow of oil and cause oil pressure to increase.
