Can You Still Drive with Excessive Oil Pressure?
3 Answers
If the oil pressure warning light comes on while driving, indicating excessive oil pressure, it is recommended not to continue driving. Continuing to drive may cause further damage to the engine. You should pull over and check the oil level first, then contact a repair shop for assistance. More detailed information is as follows: 1. Causes of excessive oil pressure include: high oil viscosity, blockage in the main oil passage, blockage in the cylinder block, or a clogged oil filter. 2. During normal engine operation: if the oil gauge reading exceeds the specified value, power decreases, and sometimes the sensor or oil filter housing may be damaged, it is advised to remove the filter. 3. Check if the filter element is too dirty or clogged: or if the bypass valve spring is too strong to open, leading to excessive oil pressure. 4. Check if the pressure relief valve spring is too tight: or if the spring is too strong to open. In some models, if the pressure relief valve piston is stuck, it may also fail to lift, causing excessive oil pressure. 5. Check if the oil passage in the cylinder block leading to the crankshaft bearing is blocked: if the above checks show no abnormalities, inspect whether the oil passage in the cylinder block leading to the crankshaft bearing (except for newly assembled engines) is blocked. A blocked oil passage can easily cause high oil pressure and bearing failure.
If the oil pressure is too high, it's really not advisable to keep driving because this is no small matter. I once had the pressure gauge suddenly spike while driving, and I knew there was trouble. Excessive oil pressure usually indicates a blockage in the oil passage, such as a clogged filter or oil that's too viscous, which is more likely in cold weather. Continuing to drive under such conditions means oil can't lubricate critical components, leading to increased engine friction, overheating, and even seizing or total failure. When I stopped to check, it turned out the oil quality was poor—switching to fresh oil made a big difference. Don't risk driving for too long; find a safe place to pull over. Use a damp cloth to touch the engine and see if it's scalding hot, or check the dashboard warning lights. Regular maintenance, like changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers, can prevent such issues. Otherwise, the repair costs will make you cry.
I've encountered situations where the oil pressure was too high, and I really don't recommend continuing to drive. The role of engine oil is to lubricate the engine and reduce wear. Excessive pressure indicates that the oil pump might be faulty or the oil viscosity is incorrect, especially common after using low-quality oil. While driving, you might notice the engine noise increasing or the power weakening, which is already very dangerous. The first step is to stop the car and turn off the engine, then open the hood to check if the oil dipstick shows full level and whether the oil is cloudy or black. If it's too dirty, quickly change to new oil and try. Remember, delaying could lead to cylinder scoring, and repair costs could easily exceed thousands. Safety first—don't push your luck. Choosing genuine engine oil types is much better for your car in the long run.
