Oil Pressure high and erratic...

[kisk]

1995 Camaro 3.4L V6

A few days ago my oil pressure started acting up, running much higher than usual. I was hoping it was just something simple like a clogged oil filter but that's not the case as I changed the oil + filter this afternoon.

My dash oil pressure gauge reads from 0 to 80. Not sure of the units used. Normally while accellerating, around 2500RPM I'm running at about 40 OP (oil pressure). With the issue I have now, when I pass 2500RPM while accellerating the OP shoots straight up to around 75. Scares me. I've been changing gears much lower than I used to just to avoid the high pressure. This is obviously not normal, but is it something I should be terribly concerned about? How high is too high when it comes to oil pressure? The car has 115k miles on it and I've never seen it that high before. The car seems to be driving fine, nothing out of the ordinary.

Another related question I have is about the computer's 'service engine soon' codes. The first time I noticed the oil pressure problem the light came on for about 20 minutes, then shut off. It hasn't come on since (2-3 days). Does the computer remember past error codes that can be read even after the light cuts off?

Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks!

[blindeyed]

Originally Posted by kisk

Normally while accelerating, around 2500RPM I'm running at about 40 OP (oil pressure). With the issue I have now, when I pass 2500RPM while accelerating the OP shoots straight up to around 75.

I'd suggest replacing your oil pressure sending unit. They tend to start reading inaccurately over time. Normal oil pressure should be around 40 psi at idle (around 1100 rpm), and between 50-65 psi from 2400+. I can almost guarantee you its your sending unit. It's the sensor directly next to the oil filter, you can't miss it.

Originally Posted by kisk

Another related question I have is about the computer's 'service engine soon' codes. The first time I noticed the oil pressure problem the light came on for about 20 minutes, then shut off. It hasn't come on since (2-3 days). Does the computer remember past error codes that can be read even after the light cuts off?

Odds are it's your EGR. I've learned to live with it, since everyone I've seen that has tried to fix the problem, whether it be by rebuilding the unit or buying a new one. The problem always persists. If you're lucky, you won't be one of the unfortunate ones who gave to deal with the "BRAKE" light in the dash continuously staying on for no reason. I've replaced almost everything in my brake system and that light still stays on for no reason. Finally got sick of looking at it and took the bulb out of the dash.

Also, I'd appreciate it if you could start using the problem diagnosis sub-forum when you need to make a post about a problem. Helps keep the forum from being cluttered/un-organized.