Sudden Change in Oil Pressure (higher)

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

(Did a search and didn't find anything like this)
My 3.2 has always run right at 1 bar per 1K RPM. It never went above 4.5 but has no issues. It uses about 1/4 Qt per 3000 miles

and makes no noise.
After replacing a Voltage Regulator recently, I noticed that the pressure is at 2 bar at cold idle and waivers between 1 -2 bar warm. At anything above 3K RPM warm the pressure is pegging out over 5 bar. The needle seems to move freely and goes up or down in direct correlation to RPMs. My VR is working properly so I know that's not the issue. I can't say that the change happened due to the VR change but I noticed it almost immediately afterward. I have not problems with smoke, the lifters are nice and quiet as always. I usually run 20W50.
Should I be concerned?

jh225 · 04-11-2009, 03:21 PM

Changed the oil recently? I had the same thing happen when I switched to Brad Penn. Don't know if something is stuck in the sender hole or if the sender is bad or the gauge itself and will be trying to figure it out this season.

pkpenny · 04-11-2009, 03:36 PM

The same thing happened to me when I changed to Brad Peen 1 month ago.

1987 targa 911.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Oh great, I'm putting my first load of Brad Penn in tonight.

jh225 · 04-11-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Lambert

Oh great, I'm putting my first load of Brad Penn in tonight.

I wouldn't sweat it. I think the BP maybe picks up crap from the sump due to the thickness or stays so thick that it freaks out the sender. I drove mine for a couple of months from when it started and had zero issues. I can say for sure that it was the BP as it happened immediately after the oil change.

The OP may have a different issue, but if he just changed the oil, it sure would be a starting place to look at.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

I am due for an oil change (4k on Pennzoil 15W40). Maybe it will help. I looked at another current thread: Key on, Engine Off I have a 0 reading. With the sender disconnected it pegs at 5. I'm thinking a partially clogged sender?

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

I see *slightly* higher oil pressure with my new Brad Penn. It went from a little over 10psi/1000RPM to more like 15psi/1000RPM. The oil resists shearing down from 50 weight much better than Castrol. I think this is a good thing.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

All this has happened with the same oil in the car so I don't think its the oil.
Any other ideas?

pwd72s · 04-12-2009, 07:26 PM

When a sender goes totally bad, the needle pegs high...

rnln · 04-12-2009, 11:44 PM

Not sure if it's true but it happend similar to my car months after switched to BP. Slowly it's always dead at max top. I replaced the sendor, everything perfect after that. Months later, it's dead at max top again now. Planing on replacing sendor again

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh225

I wouldn't sweat it. I think the BP maybe picks up crap from the sump due to the thickness or stays so thick that it freaks out the sender. I drove mine for a couple of months from when it started and had zero issues. I can say for sure that it was the BP as it happened immediately after the oil change.

The OP may have a different issue, but if he just changed the oil, it sure would be a starting place to look at.