What Could Cause Excessive Oil Pressure?
2 Answers
There are three main causes of excessive oil pressure. Below are the related reasons: 1. Excessive oil viscosity. The viscosity of the oil is closely related to its quality. Higher viscosity means better resistance to high temperatures, and vice versa. However, higher viscosity is not always better. It's essential to use an oil grade that matches your engine. 2. Pressure relief valve blockage or improper adjustment. To prevent excessive oil pressure in the lubrication system, which can increase engine power consumption and cause leaks at sealed connections in the oil circuit, a pressure relief valve is installed in the main oil passage or oil pump. Its function is to limit the oil pressure in the lubrication system to ensure it does not exceed the specified value. Therefore, a faulty pressure relief valve is one of the causes of excessive oil pressure. 3. Oil filter blockage. The oil filter is a critical component for filtering oil. If it becomes blocked, the consequences are similar to those of a blocked pressure relief valve. Therefore, it's important to regularly inspect and maintain the oil and filter, ensuring the quality of the added oil meets the required standards.
Recently, I encountered an issue with excessively high oil pressure and would like to share some insights. The primary cause is incorrect oil viscosity, such as using oil that's too thick. During cold starts in winter, the oil pressure can spike dramatically. For instance, my friend's truck once had high-viscosity oil added, resulting in the oil pressure gauge reading exceeding limits. Another common issue is oil pump failure—when the pump's regulating valve gets stuck and operates continuously in high-pressure mode, the pressure becomes uncontrollable. A clogged oil filter can also trigger this problem; restricted oil flow forces the pump to work harder, naturally increasing pressure. Internal oil passage blockages, caused by prolonged carbon buildup or dirt accumulation, can similarly lead to excessive pressure due to restricted oil flow. A malfunctioning pressure relief valve is another concern; it's supposed to release pressure but fails when stuck. Neglecting these issues can damage engine bearings or seals, increasing repair costs. My recommendation is to change the oil on schedule using the correct grade and replace the oil filter every six months to effectively prevent such problems.
