How To Check Oil Pressure -EricTheCarGuy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 เม.ย. 2014
- If you have an oil pressure warning light on, or your oil pressure gauge reads low, it may be time to check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. You need to determine if it's a problem with the sending unit or if you really do have low oil pressure. This video will walk you through the steps of how to check oil pressure on your engine. It may not be as easy to do for you as it was for me, but once you do the test you'll know for sure if it's time for engine work, or if it's time for a new sending unit.
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: www.ericthecarguy.com
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Every time I have a question I just search TH-cam and boom Eric the car guy with the answer. Thx dude 👌🏽💯
me too. hahaha
You are the man eric! and we appreciate you.
I recommended your videos to many of my coworkers in seattle wa at a concrete mixer company.
I'm a self-taught mechanic and you've taught me a lot thank you
A lot of people can take lessons from this on how to produce concise, effective and informative videos. Well done! And thank you. I`m off to find the problem, gauge or sender or (yikes) no pressure.
the thing i love from your videos is the patience you have when talking.
It's really cool that you post these videos. I wish there was a mechanic I could trust in my area so I wouldn't have to figure out how to do all of this myself.
Learned a lot from your video as usual. Have a scenario that stretches this a bit, however. I have a temporary vehicle that is a pain; Lincoln 2009 MKZ. Out of the blue, driving along at the speed limit of 75mph on a highway at dark with an air temp of about 40F. Oil light suddenly comes on red and disappears in a long 20-30 seconds with no other symptoms or change in performance. I started to look for exits and gas stations and watched as without apparent reason the light would come on for seconds and go out intermittently. Got off the next gas station exit, shut the engine down immediately, and checked the after-market dipstick that came with this car 4 months ago to see that the oil might be on the bottom end of normal range. I bought the only 5-20 oil they had which was one quart of full synthetic that looked 10 yrs old and cost $15. Put the quart in and it was hard to tell that the oil volume increased. Got back on the highway and the intermittent light did come back but only flicked on and went off quickly. Stopped at the next exit 7 miles away that had a Walmart, bought a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil, having some differential diagnosis possibilities going through my mind. The dipstick still didn’t seem to show the change even though it should have too much oil at this point. 50 minutes later, I am in the driveway with no further oil lights. Spent the past two days deciding how I could afford to confirm my oil light issue, troubleshoot my intermittent burning oil smell that comes and goes for 4 months since I bought the car even after a good oil change, and how to trouble some occasional engine sluggishness I believe might be related to bad spark. Two days later with minimal trips back and forth to the stores, the light comes on and I rush home frustrated. It is very intermittent and may be hard to catch in the driveway with a manual gauge, plus there is nothing easy to access on this engine design. To further complicate, this vehicle had front end damage, wiring looks redneck DIY in some areas (loose wiring harnesses wrapped in brown electrical tape and mods for sound systems that I removed as best I could immediately), had a bad alternator last month that was replaced new but the battery light will not turn off since (so, possibly bad wiring or computer or dash light), and I drive this vehicle up to 200-300 miles a day when I am working with lots of long miles (1-2 hr drives followed by hours of shorter trips with stops with engine off for 10-15 minutes). Any thoughts, suggestions, or just feedback is appreciated, as I start looking to order a new sending unit, get the oil and filter completely changed and filled to factory, and try to change my spark plugs while I am under there, if I can get to the back three LOL. TY for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you Eric for this knowledge about testing oil pressure!!!!
A very useful video for most do-it-yourselfers, and I liked your use of a $15.99 oil pressure testing guage. Many of your viewers are forced to rely on similar, inexpensive tools like this. In many cases they do the job just as well as their expensive counterparts.
Eric thank you very much for all your videos. I feel as though I"m at a killer auto tech school. You're awesome brother.
Thanks for the video. Very informative. Love the harbor freight guage. I have the same one.
This is incredible i am trying to find out to do this on a 79 mustang 5.0 and here you are working on a ford. Couldnt be more helpful.
Great video. Just what I was looking for.
I have a 98 Pathfinder 3.3L with a similar oil pump. It was an elderly couple's for 20 years. I don't think they used it much. Low miles, 6,000 a year average, and likely wasn't driven hard ever. I think they let oil sit in it and maybe their mechanic put snake oil in it as a sales pitch. There was gummy honey-colored stuff on the refill cap.
Something is causing this Pathfinder to knock at startup for 3-4 seconds and then between 1,800 and 3,300 RPM. If coasting between 1800 and 3300, it ceases. I think I caught rod bearing wear early and I replaced them. And checked the mains. Mains were good. Two rods had mild wear. No slack or slope in anything. Metal flakes stopped appearing. But still the knock between those RPM. It runs perfectly, otherwise. And the body and interior is like new. So it's a nice one I'd like to keep long-term.
What do you think about this idea?
If the oil isn't changed well can the valve system in the pump stick or malfunction and cause oil pressure to be insufficient? The pressure is 100% consistently poor at startup for 3 seconds and under load between 1800 to 3300 RPM. Makes no sense, this loss of pressure at fixed time, other than faulty pump.
I know there is also a pan gasket leak at the front and back. I thinned the oil as an experiment to see if pressure/noise changed and oil began quickly dripping from both ends of the oil pan when it was at warm idle. I thinned the oil 50% with motor flush, which is basically kerosene. I drained out two quarts and put in 2 quarts cleaner. So I have to pull the pan anyways to fix those leaks, so might as well pull inspect and replace the pump as well. Also have to check timing as well and swap all those parts as their age is unknown. The pressure problem was present before the leaks were noted. So the big leaks are new and the problem is the exact same.
Do you know of a good oil pump replacement video of my motor or very similar? I found a timing kit one, but no oil pump.
You would make an excellent tech school instructor. You have real working knowledge along with what I call theory or book knowledge. Awesome channel and very educational to anyone that's interested.
+Redneck Mechanic hi.
Sorry to ask you but could you help me with this question?
What does it mean if you have oil leaking from your Oil Pressure Switch. i have a Vauxhall Corsa 1998 (1.2 petrol engine). It leaks when the engine is turned on.
Great videos. Much knowledge. Thank you for sharing sir.
i can confirm if you cross thread an oil switch sender in the block your life does indeed turn to mud, lol.
😂
Lol sorry to hear that you experienced this dude, care to tell us the rest of the story? (after you cross-threaded)
@Sam S For fuck sakes, this just made me cringe, mother of god. Did you get a new crank or housing?
😁😅🤣
Good one car guy. I like these "basic vids".
Good explanation Eric, thank
Great info here on what creates oil pressure, and the good six in this Fairmont. I noticed an abrupt increase in pressure, from about 35psi to 39 psi. This could be loose sludge in the oil galley that partially clogs the oil relief valve, then breaks away.. or getting past the filter.. just a guess. I had a '78 Fairmont wagon with the six, high mileage, and neglected by the previous owner. Despite a few oil changes, and then driving it 2300 miles from Idaho to NY, the engine developed a rod knock just as I pulled into a filling station. I had 200 miles to go, doubted that the car would make it. Upon re-starting the engine, the knock was gone. It never returned, not a spun bearing. It must have been oil detergents dissolving sludge in the system, that partially restricted oil to the rod. then somehow worked through.
Great video. Thank you Eric
Thanks for sharing again!
i like your videos Eric and i can tell you,,, ive learnt a lot from them
Good video! I'm diagnosing an oil issue in my 258 Jeep but I'm really digging your Fairmont, there is one here a wagon where I live for 475.00 I'm thinking I might go check it out now. I subbed!
eric!, your videos are awesome man keep up the good work, anyone looking for cool ford diesel videos powerstroke help is awesome too
I love this lesson keep it up mate
Thanks! Exactly what I needed
Thanks so much Erick
Simply great video. Thx bro.
Great vid man! greatly appreciate it.
great video eric, will be using this knowledge in the future. but a small request, if you could make a video on rims/ tires. buying a second set for summer / winter. bolt pattern, offset the whole ( yards like you always do. if you already have one could someone post a link to it for me please?
Thank you Eric!!
So much helpful info. Will the pressure build during cranking?
Thanks. I'm thinking about getting one for my 18 mdx. I'm on the list just released for a recall of 250,-000- Honda/acura engines (v6). Problem is incorrect big end bearing/journal clearances. An inside gauge may help me avoid a mess as acura says the parts will not be available until Apr 24. Applies to 16-19 model years. Great video. Thank you.
Thank you for this video this is so useful
just got a blinking oil light on my 91 integra and this will help me check my oil pressure, hopefully it is the sending unit, just got done replacing mine on my truck.
From Mexico, thank you sir!
Great info thanks!
great information
EricTheCarGuy Great video. Could i ask, with the pressure kit what level PSI should you be looking for to rule out your car has low oil pressure?
Hi Eric, really like your videos. I have a question about testing an oil pressure sensor.
can you use air pressure instead of oil pressure to bench test an oil pressure sensor?
Hey Eric, my oil pressure gauge is reading maxed. I have a 87 chevy k5 blazer. Should I be concerned? Your videos are awesome! Keep up the good work! Thanks.
Your are awesome !
The best videos !
Thanks for everything
Oil pressure is the result of restriction to the outlet of the pump. Not only do bearing tolerances dictate oil pressure but the oil pressure relief valve is a huge player. Low oil pressure does not necessarily mean bearing clearances are excessive. A weak spring inside the oil pressure relief valve can also cause low oil pressure. Now of course, if the vehicle continues to be used with low oil pressure, top end engine problems generally follow suit. It only gets worse from there. We all know as techs that some engines had notorious issues with oil feed/return holes becoming plugged up(change your oil at the specified intervals) I rarely see oil sending units going bad, and when they do, they generally leak internally(oil in the connector) Oil pressure can also lead to fuel delivery problems. Think long and hard about that one.
After 3 years my replaced sensor acted up immediatly after an oil change, 2 changes ago. Worked fine, stayed right at mid 40s. Changed oil from 10 30 Rotella mobile filter to gray tough fram amd valvoline high mileage. Guage went right to 80 and stayed. Ran great though. Changed oil 4500 later. went T5 Rotella synthetic. Now the guage moves back and forth 0 to 80 to 40, light goes on and off. When I did the change I put a new sensor in and went right to 0, check light. Cheap sensor because the plastic pulled off so used the old one. I tried flushing the channel hole, changed filter, refilled level. I finally bought a tester, right to mid 40s despite the guage saying 0 light, 80, 0 again. I will get another sensor but wonder if there is a possible electrical issue? I do know the 200,000 jeep 4.0 does show its issues and judging by the erratic guage sure bearings going but movement stays 42-46, not 30s to 50s up and down movement. maybe find a way to bypass the guage and add a simple guage inside seperate? Heck, can keep the test guage hooked up drill a hole the fire wall and run that sucker thru it. LOL
Question Eric . Shouldn't the test hose and gauge by primed with oil prior to hook up ? I'm thinking the air caught between the gauge and fitting might give a fluctuation reading due to air being compressed .
Good video thanks!
thanks mate very helpfull
Smashing :-), i do like the analog displays, a light tells us nothing other that its possibly too late to do much about the fault.
My mates morris minor 1000 has the same sender unit as yours :-)
Sick reverb bro.
i just rebuilt a 4.0 i6. new oil pump, pressure sending unit, bearings matched by machine shop that turned the crank. torqued to specifications. drove it 6 mile put gas in and the pressure was lower driving back. Guess i'll be checking the oil pressure with a O P gadge. good video thanks for the explanation.
Thanks Eric
ERIC!... MY MAN! I swear theres NO MORE like you out there. TRUE MECHANICS that know THEIR SHIT and Are PROPER mentors. Youve been much HELP.
One Question:
My DODGE NEON 1997 OIL PRESSURE BLINKING.
I WANT TO CHECK THE CARS GUAGE LIKE INSTRUCTED IN THIS VIDEO, BUT I HAVE A BIT OR HUGE PROBLEM.
My cars signal lights stopped working and turned off on me and the oil pressure indicator started flashing radiply and my car wont turn on.
HOW ELSE CAN I CHECK THE Oil Senor unit
Thanks Eric.
I had a loss of oil pressure in my 1985 Plymouth Voyager once... It ended up being the chain that drives the oil pump broke. Got it replaced and was good to go!
Great stuff
Yeah, at work all our Chevy full-size vans have a dash gauge. Of course those always have to be taken with a grain of salt. But I do notice a variation between each van (we have like 4 different chevys and 1 ford, the ford doesn't have a gauge) One van has only like 12psi according to the gauge at idle and only has like 120-130k miles on it (2012 model year), but shoots up to just under 40 upon acceleration, all the other vans sit at about 30 idle, and maybe get as high as 50PSI under high engine revs. But my work neglects maintaining these vans oil change wise, I think some vans have gone as much as 15k-20k miles before getting oil changes, and no they don't get synthetic either, and they get shut off and started about 15 times a day.
TorqueEmUp
Hey Eric thanks for another great informed video...but if you could do one on a Honda VTEC motor like the GSR that would be great.
I'm having an issue with mine right now B18C, lately I noticed my Oil Light is staying on longer than normal at cold start ups, normally you would see the light stay on 1-2 seconds but mine recently has been staying on for 2-5 seconds. I did my oil change thinking it was the cheap FRAM Honda filters and used a Wix filter instead but that didn't fix my problem. I hooked up an oil pressure gauge and at idle I'm getting 15-20 PSI and at 3K RPM I'm getting 50-55 PSI so I know I'm getting good pressure. The fact that the guage didn't move til about 5+ seconds at startup worries me, and the fact the on cold start ups or leaving my car off for a while (more than 5 hours) it takes longer than normal to build up pressure at start up. Also my VTEC does not always kick in when its supposed to, it's on and off and when it does kick in I feel no power like it used to be...I know my motor and it's definitely not pulling at all when VTEC engages.
So my question is do i replaced the Oil Sending Unit or the Oil Pressure Switch witch is located on the VTEC solenoid, but I know for a fact the JDM Honda motors don't even have an Oil Pressure switch on the VTEC solenoid so I don't see how that is important or a factor as for the problem I'm having. Or could it just be Oil Screen in my oil pan that is clogged up? Please Eric, if you can point another fellow tech to the right direction I would appreciate it!
You can check if two threads are identical by trying to interlock them. Unless both diameter and pitch are identical you won't get them to 'mesh' over the length of the thread. The longer they are the clearer it will be.
for all sizes used in a car that should work, ofcourse it kind of breaks down when you get to stupidly small sizes like M2.4 M2.5 and M2.6 (which, i think, even share the same pitch). But that doesn't really apply here.
Eric, did you purge the air out of the rubber hose line to give the guage a full oil column of oil. the air compression could be adding to the isolation of your guage?! Love your easy-going style and suggestions.
Good job. Shaking may be from the gage sitting on a shaking engine. Put it in your hand.
very nice eric :)
Dude, my family vehicle was a Ford Fairmont when I was growing up.
I have no idea what year it was but it was yellow and it was also the only 2 door Fairmont i have ever seen.
We would all squeeze in and the younger kids had to sit on the older kids laps, believe it or not.
Never wore seat belts either ha ha.
Hey Eric! Just curious here, but could the vibrations from the engine be causing the needle to bounce?
I have a 2000 Jeep XJ and the gauge reads 60 at idle then 80 under load. Can I drive the vehicle until I can get a new sender unit. Your videos are awesome.
This guy is awesome
Eric please help I have a Holden 304 v8 and I got the oil pressure light on and the engine is shaking and ticking won't rev and one rocker arm isn't moving pretty sure it's for the exhaust valve would this just be from the camshaft being buggered or bottom end? Please help!
Thanks a lot
Thank you
Hey Eric! Although you show how to check the oil pressure in that Ford, would you be able to show how to check oil pressure on a 2009 Audi A4 2.0T with CVT?
Great video but no mention of a possible faulty oil pressure relief valve? I know it only comes into play to stop over pressurisation, but can leak and cause low or fluctuating pressure.
My oil gauge needle read zero and was not moving when I turn on my 1990 Ford F150 5.0 So instead of buying the oil pressure tester I removed the oil pressure switch and turned on the truck and a bunch of oil came out. There was like oil sludge at the tip of the entrance where the switch goes so I figured it was clogged. At least now I know I have oil pressure. My question is do I need to use Teflon tape on the threads or pipe sealant which is better? Thanks Eric like ur videos.
Haha. Hadn't seen this video yet. Funny seeing that engine in the Fairmont.
Eric thanks for the videos. I have a question...I have a 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel. My oil pressure gauge goes low, and then high, then low. A warning came on to pull over and shut off the engine. Did that then started up, got it home. What are the possible problems.
i like to tighten it till it snaps..then back it off a half turn! BTW bouncing needle means RACE motor Eric!
The bouncing needle can also be from a worn out or cheap guage
Screwing in those hollow brass fittings always gets me thinking about the mud life. Snapping one of those off wouldn't be the end of the world but a bit of a pain
I have bought an old Volvo 240 with a B23A engine, and about 2 months ago i put in some 10-30w Mobil1 super 2000 semi-synthetic oil in it, i didn't change the filter out at the time but i was thinking another oil change would be good in a few months time and the change the filter aswell, i like to treat my car with the best and i also need a fluid change on the transmission, it's a 4 speed manual with an electric over drive, it works but it has a whine to it so it needs to be done
At the beginning there was a little bit of oil in the case near the adapter. Was that on purpose, or just some left in the hose leaked out from the last time you used it?
Just replaced inner tie rod...waiting for that video Eric lol. As always love the channel keep up the great work!
Oo yea thanks. My bad 😁
On my car has the following and i full under all these temp ranges, dealer puts in 10w40.
-10ºC~40ºC> is 0w30
is 10w40
is 20w50
Hey Eric, Thanks for making the vids, they're informative. Question... I tested my pressure with a vacuum sealed oil gauge, not a tester like you're using. I assume that's fine, being a oil gauge? Also, does it matter if you use an oil filled gauge, or is the preferred method to use a non-oil filled, or even using an actual tester? Thanks!
The oil filled just keeps the needle from bouncing around to much. They use it primarily in compasses, brig unsteady ships, and hands…
Thanks again bro for all you do!
eric i have a question not about the video but i wanna ask you .Can you do CAN diagnostics without a scope and i see alot of techs that uses a scope to do most or all of their diagnostics can you do your diagnostics without a scope especially obd 2 cars
Any bearing videos in the future?
Is this pretty much the same sort of pressure tester you do a compression test with?
Eric, in reference to the pressure test your performing,is that gauge reading pressure in the entire motor?(top end and bottom end?)..I have pressure perfectly in the bottom end but no reading for the top end..what would be your opinion on this..thank you.
Does the oil pressure switch do anything other than detect oil level, does it actually do anything to send oil?
Can you use a fuel pressure guage for this ?
If you decided to swap the oil pump, wouldn’t you want to check out the bearings first since you be takin the oil pan off anyway ?
Whats the difference in the reading you get with that gauge as opposed to what you get with a mechanical one that uses the white tubing?
Eric nice videos. Do you have a video on types of oil filters if your using synthetic oil.
Vix filters are awesome for any kind of oil , and surprised that they are made by Walmart 😂
A worn cambelt can cause the oil pressure needle to wobble because i fitted a new one on and it cured it straight away and was perfectly still after that.
Eric I got a serious question for you, if getting to my sending unit involves removing my oil filter, how can I go about getting any kind
Of reading on a gauge if my oil filters off??? Thank you
Is Inch and a 16th the same as 13/16? Thanks for the video!
hi eric hope ur doing well, i have been following you and i love your videos and well i have a 2002 manual neon and im having a problem when i shift gears or pres the gas pedal and it does not want to accelerate and just seems to get clogged or it doesnt want to response till i floor it and it works fine but then while driving it starts to jerk and pause if you could maybe help me out :O
Hi, I have 05 H2 and would like to perform the same. How? Is it as easy as the ford you had?
Thx
Hi , Thanks for yours videos. I'd have a question for you. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 4.7L Not a 5.7L but a 4.7L. At idle which is between 500 to 550 rpm. How much pressure I should read on a mecanical gauge ? I can't find this information here in France an ether on web. Thank you. Regards.
Hey Eric the car guy If you don't mind me asking I got a 2000 Honda Civic I put a old pressure gauge in I put 2 of them (just to make sure) in But I don't know if I'm getting low oil pressure or is it normal I get 10 psi at idle when the car is hot driving it for a hour is that normal for a Honda? The car runs good no issues
like the vid and yes that is very easy to get to lol... i have a 98 honda civic hatch SOHC 1.6 and a gauge hooked up from an adapter sandwich on my filter and my gauge reads in bar, at startup it is at 7 and when reach operating Temp it goes down to a lil under 3 what info you have for me thank ETCG.
Does doing an oil pressure test with a gauge tells you whether you have a bad or good oil pump? (Assuming that you have a good oil pressure sensor and enough oil)
I want test my oil pump while in the car. Thank you very muchoo!
thanks