What should the oil pressure read? - 2001 Chevrolet S-10

1. Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working You will notice this happens when your oil pressure gauge is not reading, whether the engine is turned off, idle or running. Try to step on the gas to rev up the engine. If the oil pressure gauge still doesn't change its reading, your gauge is busted. It's best to replace it as soon as possible because you won't have any idea if your car is already overheating or not.
2. Oil Pressure Gauge Reading Too Low When your engine is idle, the oil pressure gauge will have a low reading. When the engine starts running or when you're already cruising or on the freeway, your gauge's reading should have increased. If it stays on a low reading, then you now your oil pressure gauge is broken.
3. Oil Pressure Gauge Reading Too High Another common oil pressure gauge problem is when your oil pressure gauge is reading too high when your engine is idle or when it's turned off. Rep

Hello Robert, you could have a bad oil sender unit. Install an auxiliary oil pressure gauge to measure the amount of oil pressure. If reading is around 15 PSI or better at idle, change the oil sender unit.

check that the oil level is not over the mark as this causes foaming of the oil and loss of pressure. At 80km/hr you will be doing around 3 grand and that will be enough to whip the excess oil into froth.. Too much oil is worse than too little oil.

check the oil pressure first, it should read around 10 to 14 psi. If pressure is inside the range then your pressure sensor is bad. If lower or reads 0 psi your got a engine problem, further diagnosis needed. Good luck.

yes,it reads oil pressure only,if its out as long as it was working fine before it went bye bye your fine,you won't blow up engine or break down.

A high oil pressure reading is a good thing, low oil pressure is something to worry about. Normally with a cold start, your oil pressure will remain high until the engine has reached operating temperature, then drop a bit, but again, high oil pressure readings are a good sign of a healthy engine. One other factor to consider is the viscosity of your oil, if your engine uses 5w30 and you switch it to a higher viscosity such as 10w40, you may also see higher oil pressure readings, so be sure you are using the correct oil for your vehicle. I hope this has helped you! :)

Oil Pressure Test Check for proper oil pressure at the sending unit passage with an externally mounted mechanical oil pressure gauge. A tachometer may also be needed, as some specifications may require running the engine at a specific RPM.

1. While the engine is cold, locate and remove the oil pressure sending unit.
2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge and, if necessary, a tachometer to the engine.
3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
4. Note and record the oil pressure reading when the engine is cold. The engine may need to run at a specified RPM, if so check the vehicle's specification.
5. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached.
6. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the value. Turn off the engine.

Compare the hot oil pressure reading to the specification. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the specification. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, the engine may have the wrong viscosity oil. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, and then repeat the test.
Low oil pressure readings could be attributed to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a faulty pressure relief valve.

Look for the oil pressure sending unit on the block or the cylinder head on the V-6 or V-8 models. --- OIL PRESSURE TEST Check for proper oil pressure at the sending unit passage with an externally mounted mechanical oil pressure gauge (as opposed to relying on a factory installed dash-mounted gauge). A tachometer may also be needed, as some specifications may require running the engine at a specific rpm.

1. With the engine cold, locate and remove the oil pressure sending unit.
2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge and, if necessary, a tachometer to the engine.
3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
4. Check the oil pressure reading when cold and record the number. You may need to run the engine at a specified rpm, so check the specifications.
5. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached (upper radiator hose will feel warm).
6. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the number. Turn the engine OFF.
7. Compare your hot oil pressure reading to specification. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the chart. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, you may have the wrong viscosity oil in the engine. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, then repeat the test. Low oil pressure readings could be attributed to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a faulty pressure relief valve.
   

It could be that during the changing of the gaskets that some debris may have ended up in the oil passages in the heads slowing the flow of the returning oil. Or could be the oil pressure unit itself.

That is probably a defective oil pressure gauge or a broken oil pressure sender, it reads 80 psi just because that is the maximum value allowed.

Pressure can be verified by reading it with a gauge tool.
If you really have pressure over 70 psi when engine is running then start replacing the oil filter, and check that the oil lines from pump are not obstructed, if there is nothing in there then replace oil pump.

If instead the gauge reads 80 with engine off, that is a defective pressure gauge.