Oil pressure sender my oil pressure sits at about 39 PSI idling

KTWILLI888

MEMBER
2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
51,000 MILES

My oil pressure sits at about 39 PSI idling, and would always stay in between 39-42 PSI. I recently changed the oil, and used 5-20 instead of 5-30 (wasn't thinking). I also went from a Fram PH9837 Extra Guard Pro to a Fram PH9837 Extra Guard. Now when I my RPM rise to about 3,700- 4,000 RPMs (passing gear) my oil pressure will rise to nearly 80 PSI. Any ideas? Possibly the lighter weight oil or a bad oil filter?

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 7:56 PM

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It is possible that the filter is restricting the flow raising the oil pressure but it is not the oil. Thinner oil would lower the pressure plus the difference between 5-30 and 20 is not significant enough to cause this much of a rise.

I would drain the oil again and check for metal. Then change the filter as well and add the correct oil. Then retest the pressure.

I would test it with a mechanical gauge and make sure the sensor is correct.

Here is a guide on high pressure if the pressure is correct:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/high-oil-pressure

I attached below the process on how to change the sensor if the mechanical gauge shows the pressure is not high. Let us know if you have questions. Thanks

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