Oil Pressure Testing

OIL PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
- With vehicle on a level surface, allow adequate drain down time (2-3 minutes) and measure for a low oil level.
- Add the recommended grade engine oil and fill the crankcase until the oil level measures full on the oil level indicator.
- Run the engine and verify low or no oil pressure on the vehicle gauge or light.
- Listen for a noisy valve train or a knocking noise.
- Inspect for the following:
- Oil diluted by moisture or unburned fuel mixtures
- Improper oil viscosity for the expected temperature
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure sender
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure gauge
- Plugged oil filter
- Malfunctioning oil bypass valve
- Remove the oil pressure sender or another engine block oil gallery plug.
- Install a oil pressure gauge and measure the engine oil pressure.
- Compare the readings to specifications.
- If the engine oil pressure is below specifications, inspect the engine for one or more of the following:
- Oil pump worn or dirty.
- Oil pump-to-engine front cover bolts loose.
- Oil pump screen loose, plugged, or damaged
- Oil pump screen O-ring seal missing or damaged
- Malfunctioning oil pump pressure regulator valve
- Excessive bearing clearance.
- Cracked, porous or restricted oil galleries
- Oil gallery plugs missing or incorrectly installed.
- Broken lash adjusters