High oil pressure indicated on gauges

[Mr. D]

I have noticed that with the addition of a new and larger oil cooler to my 454 engine that my oil pressure seems to be running much higher...almost at the top...baring any problem with my gauge...what is the potential harm of high oil pressure? My oil level seems to be the same on my dip stick... but does the new oil cooler effect the proper level of oil level? It would seem that the level in my pan is still the proper method for measuring oil but I don't want to
do anything that will jeapardize my oil pump or engine life...Mr. D..

[nickcrowhurst]

Well, Mr D, I know nothing about your particular engine, but in my book, cooler oil = thicker oil = higher oil pressure = good thing, so I would be very happy in your situation. But then what do I know...............
Nick.

[dinoburb]

Is your cold oil pressure with the new cooler higher than your cold pressure without the new cooler? If so there is probably a problem, unless you also changed your oil to a heavier viscosity (10w-30 to 20w-50 for example) at the same time. Cold, pre- and post- cooler, oil pressures should be the same (or VERY close).

Take care,

[clancy_boy]

Your oil cooler and connecting hoses may have changed the dynamics in your oil system. What I mean is, where the oil pressure sensing sensor is located may be experiencing a little more back pressure - say if the lines were smaller diameter or the oil cooler was creating a back pressure that is being sensed by the sensor. This may not be a bad thing - the original sensor location and oil handling system was designed form the factory to sense the oil pressure with a designed oil flow from the pump to the rest of the engine, that has now changed with the addition of the oil cooler. BAD, GOOD, NO CHANGE???? all depends on the final oil distribution to the engine. If enough pressure is developed to push the oil through the cooler and to the rest of the engine then you are fine. There may be a test location on the engine to get post cooler pressure readings and give you your answer. Pull a valve cover, and run the engine - oil squirt all over the place??? then you have enough pressure.

[Mr. D]

Do you think that other symtoms would occur if the oil distribution was not 100% ...such as over heating...performance issues..etc? Pulling a valve cover on my rig is no small item...if I could get by with some other indicators I would like to find that alternative...but at this point peace of mind would be worth pulling a valve cover...Mr. D.

[jcanavera]

Always the potential that the pressure sensor is faulty. Had this happen on a tow vehicle once. It just might be coincidental that it got sick about the time you made the cooler change.

Jack

[GlenCoombe]

A new sensor won't set you back much money and installation is a breeze. Save the box and you'll have a spare if the reading is the same.
Also if you want to check the top end just pull the breather tube out and use a flash light to take a look at the top of the head under the cover. A dental mirror or some other type of devise inserted into the breather hole parallel to the top of the valve cover will give you a good indication of how much oil is squirting out without getting any on you.
Let us know what you find.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Mr. D

Do you think that other symtoms would occur if the oil distribution was not 100% ...such as over heating...performance issues..etc? Pulling a valve cover on my rig is no small item...if I could get by with some other indicators I would like to find that alternative...but at this point peace of mind would be worth pulling a valve cover...Mr. D.

You can hook up a mechanical gauge where the sensor is now, and run the engine throughout it operating temps. A mechanical gauge with all its lines and adapters is only about $20. After you are done testing, you can put it back in its box until next time you need it.

[safari57]

In a 70 Chevelle with a 454 bored 60 thou over I had very high oil pressure. I had used a high volume oil pump but it was above what that would give me. I had problems keeping rear seals in it until I finally got nasty and epoxied the pan one on to the pan first - not the best way to do it but at the time I needed to fix the leak. That cured that problem but I was still concerned about the very high oil pressure. It didn't take too long for me to find that the external oil cooler I'd put on to keep the oil temps down had a small blockage in it. I took it to a rad shop and they flushed it out and my pressure dropped to normal. It was a new GM oil cooler so don't know what was in it, probably something from the manufacturing process, and darned good thing whatever it was didn't get loose and into the oil system and take out my bearings. Let us know what you resolve with yours.
Barry

[dinoburb]

Just a simple follow-up to my original post. At start-up, cold, is the pressure any different (higher/lower) than before the cooler install? Also, is this an additional cooler or a larger one in place of the original?

Take care,

[Geophilist]

I would vote for Terry and use a mechanical gauge. With an electrical one, you have to match the sender with the gauge, not so the mechanical one. I had the same problem reading too high a pressure until I discovered that I had the wrong sender.

Steve

Barry is probably on to something. Crud in the lines is a more common occurence than you think.

[Mr. D]

I'm not sure what was original...but when I bought the rig...it had an external cooler about half the size of the new one...I can't remember what the cold start pressure was before the new cooler was installed but on a scale of 0 to 80 on my gauge...I'm idling at about 70 and running at 75...Recently I had to disconnect the oil cooler and lost some oil in the process...my pressure dropped to around 60....My dip stick is still between add and full...which make me think the extra oil the new larger cooler holds may be part of my oil pressure issues...thanks for all the advice...the weather is turning cold but this should be an item I can work on from the inside...I will try to use your ideas...thanks to all...Mr. D.