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Common Causes of Low Oil Pressure and High Oil Pressure
Always refer to the manufacturer specifications for oil relief pressures.
|
Causes of Low Oil Pressure |
| Low oil level |
| Oil not flowing into the pump at start-up |
| Pump runs too slow to deliver sufficient oil |
| Oil too hot, viscosity too low. |
| Incorrect oil Viscosity |
| Worn oil pump |
| Worn crankshaft bearings |
| Fuel in oil reduces viscosity oil fuel dilution |
| An oil change is required |
| Oil relief valve stuck open, worn or broken spring |
| Oil gallery plug missing, removed or damaged |
| Oil gallery o’ring or seal damaged leaking internally |
| Oil gauge faulty |
| Damaged /cracked oil pick up pipe |
| Oil pickup screen blocked or partially blocked |
| Oil sludge in the bottom of the sump |
| Leakage between the oil pump and cylinder block or housing |
| Incorrect crankshaft bearings fitted after rebuild |
| Low engine idle speed |
|
Causes of High Pressure |
| Pressure remains high after a cold start. Oil flows adequately into the pump but does not flow through the oil galleries |
| Oil is thickened by soot load |
| Oil is thickened by oxidation |
| Oil viscosity is too high. The oil flow is poor. |
| Filter blocked or partially blocked. |
| Deposits in the oil gallery system cause increased backpressure. |
| Oil too cold high viscosity |
| Oil relief valve stuck closed |
| Oil gauge faulty |
| Blocked oil passage |
| Bearings fitted incorrectly after rebuild |
| Incorrect bearing fitted after rebuild |
