The oil in your engine is used to cool and lubricate the bearings and machined surfaces of the internal moving parts. Without oil and oil pressure your engine will experience extreme internal engine damage due to heat caused by friction. All engines run on a pre-set pressure that cannot be adjusted. This pressure will vary depending on engine speed and temperature. As a rule of thumb the engine oil pressure gauge should never drop below 1/4 pressure and never exceed 3/4 pressure.

If the gauge indicates the low pressure this could mean:

• Engine could have low oil level
• Broken oil pump pressure relief spring
• Excessive bearing clearances

If the gauge indicates the high oil pressure this could mean:

• The engine oil pressure sender has failed (common)
• The engine oil pump could have a stuck pressure relieve valve

To check for these conditions a manual oil pressure gauge is needed. Locate the oil pressure port near the engine oil filter. Remove the sender or switch and install the oil pressure gauge. Start the engine and observe the gauge.

If further assistance is needed, our certified car repair technicians are ready to answer your car questions.

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