If you have an oil pressure warning light on, or your oil pressure gauge reads low, it may be time to check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. You need to determine if it’s a problem with the sending unit or if you really do have low oil pressure. This video will walk you through the steps of how to check oil pressure on your engine. It may not be as easy to do for you as it was for me, but once you do the test you’ll know for sure if it’s time for engine work, or if it’s time for a new sending unit.
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Related videos.
How Oil Pressure Works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f2fcbTh5yw
The Basic Parts of an Engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saPGX-1qC4M
Synthetic Oil vs Regular Oil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lshd7WR-a6I
Re: Synthetic Oil vs Regular Oil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zEBI1QndPo
Tools.
Oil Pressure gauge: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/gearwrench-3343d-engine-oil-pressure-check-kit/#oid=1002_1
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/50703-how-to-check-oil-pressure#94813
EricTheCarGuy code lookup: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/obd-code-lookup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricTheCarGuy?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTheCarGuy
Google+: https://plus.google.com/100195180196698058780/posts
Information on Premium Membership: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
i have a chevy colorado 2007 3.7 and my oil pressure light comes up after driving for a while and the engine is warm up but it only happen on iddle i mean when i touch acceleration the light disapear and comes back on iddle. Oil level seems good no leak and engine seems to run fine… i wonder if could be oil pump , oil sensor or my engnie going bad but my engine run smoothly…
Doesn't sound terrible. I think you need to not only use the gauge but ears too. There's still lots of life in that engine.
I dunno how reliable the oil pressure gauges really are anyway unlike the hot and cold temp gauge. I've changed mine on a old Chev worked find for about a few months and start bouncing all over the place. 12 years later still going strong. Chevy engines just don't die said a Ford Technician. Lol True story.
Hi Eric, my oil light comes on, only when I accelerate, when it's stationery I can rew engine as much as I can, it's all good. Any ideas. It's 400 big block
If the needle is fluctuating nine times out of 10 is the oil pump high pressure valve malfunctioning.
Eric, I own a '99 corvette, and the sending unit/sensor is inaccessible without removing the intake manifold. Is there another location in the oil system to test pressure?
Engine just went in our fj 180 000km. Just spent 5 k on timing chain replacement….ran perfect before all this work was done …ran great for a short time after the work was done….around 1000km…..then all of a sudden oil light came on then all of the check engine lights then the " ticking and banging" was short there after…..we got it to the shop….they did some tests….checked the oil…..even changed it….and put on a new filter….did a oil pressure test it was almost perfect….they decided to place the old oil filter back on and retest oil pressure….it Read 0!……TO BE CONTINUED!!!!
My 2000 lexus lx470 was low oil pressure while I m stop
I have a 94 chevy Cheyenne k1500 qn the gauge inside reads zero an now I have a slight rod knock could that be the oil pump or am I about to just waste more money
Would a larger inside diameter tube affect oil pressure on the gauge?
i have a 2008 grand vitara no oil pressure gauge does this mean oil light or engine light will come on from sensor if it is low?
That's the bouncy needle you didn't want to see.
Mr Eric come on 🤣😂😅 the needle is bouncing like that because of the engine vibrations you left the gauge on top of it
Thank you for this video this is so useful
Every time I have a question I just search YouTube and boom Eric the car guy with the answer. Thx dude 👌ðŸÂ½ðŸ’¯
This guy is awesome
Where can I fine mine on a 1996 honda accord ex 2.2l sensor
Great videos. Much knowledge. Thank you for sharing sir.
Great info thanks!
I love this lesson keep it up mate
Check oil level cold, then start engine up, wait.. Pull dip stick and read again.. If pump is pumping oil will be way up dip stick from pressure.. If oil reads the same mark as cold reading, Houston YOU got a big problem.. !!
And you know It’s always better to use copper line ( although you can’t see the flow ,) plastic will break, crack and fail Also ; don’t use Teflon tape ( unless you leave some bare metal for it to touch for grounding ohms to be correct, it will not send correctly !
My mechanic just replaced the 2.5l engine in my Jeep Wrangler and my oil pressure guage flickers ALOT but he says it’s my guage. And I’m using the same guage in the video
I have a 2000 Jeep XJ and the gauge reads 60 at idle then 80 under load. Can I drive the vehicle until I can get a new sender unit. Your videos are awesome.
Can someone help me with a answer. A thought. It's a 96 ford explorer
I think my oil gage is jumping and then going to low. Bc of my EGR valve pressure sensor is out maybe.?? Bc my motor oil is good.
1-1/6" or 27mm both deep socket and you get it off no problem
Can there be to much pressure. I have just swapped my engine from a 305 to 350. At cam break in my psi at operation teml is 55psi and at 3000 is 75 psi. Im at 1000 miles and engine temp is 180° and its 100° outs side every day. My pressure is 55 at operation temp and 70 psi at throttle. My oil is 10w30. It just seems high.
Thanks Eric.
Erick I have 2008 Chevy suburban my oil gauge dropped to 20psi and then below that in tell the light comes on so I changed the sending unit and the oil pump pot frish oil filter changed all the O ring did everything possible and still get low oil pressure but down to 20 and it go’s up whale driving and it’s no noise on the engine it run so smooth no tapping or nothing like that
I’m freaking out I need your help if possible
Thanks
Hi Eric, really like your videos. I have a question about testing an oil pressure sensor.
can you use air pressure instead of oil pressure to bench test an oil pressure sensor?
Anytime you cross thread any thread, your life turns to mud. helicoils work but they are a pain, always clean a thread with a tap and or die.No dont die, just use the die to clean,…… Shit, Im doing it again.
I wish my 94 z28 was that easy lol
Some professional advice if your a novice if you want to get an accurate reading don't set the gauge on top of a idling engine. Hold it in your hand or lay by the wiper blades.
Does doing an oil pressure test with a gauge tells you whether you have a bad or good oil pump? (Assuming that you have a good oil pressure sensor and enough oil)
I want test my oil pump while in the car. Thank you very muchoo!
Bro you look way better and more professional with a haircut. Thank for all the help over the last few years
My gauge shows 60 after it warms up is that ok? I have a 1993 mustang
So I’m turboing a truck and have no ther place to get oil from block can I use the sensors port as a high pressure line to the turbo
After 3 years my replaced sensor acted up immediatly after an oil change, 2 changes ago. Worked fine, stayed right at mid 40s. Changed oil from 10 30 Rotella mobile filter to gray tough fram amd valvoline high mileage. Guage went right to 80 and stayed. Ran great though. Changed oil 4500 later. went T5 Rotella synthetic. Now the guage moves back and forth 0 to 80 to 40, light goes on and off. When I did the change I put a new sensor in and went right to 0, check light. Cheap sensor because the plastic pulled off so used the old one. I tried flushing the channel hole, changed filter, refilled level. I finally bought a tester, right to mid 40s despite the guage saying 0 light, 80, 0 again. I will get another sensor but wonder if there is a possible electrical issue? I do know the 200,000 jeep 4.0 does show its issues and judging by the erratic guage sure bearings going but movement stays 42-46, not 30s to 50s up and down movement. maybe find a way to bypass the guage and add a simple guage inside seperate? Heck, can keep the test guage hooked up drill a hole the fire wall and run that sucker thru it. LOL
I have a 83 El Camino with a 305 engine. When the car is being driven it is at 60. When I am at idle it is 30 is that normal.
Engine makes winning noise on reving… Plus i changed the oil and driving 100 miles (diesel engine) my dipstick reads dark in bottom and clear on above.
Any idea.. Is it pump issue
I had a bouncy needle. It bounced from 10 to 30 psi if I revved it and barely had 10 psi at idle. Connecting rod and main bearings were trashed and so was the crank. Replaced it all. Oil pressure is much better. But it still bounces about 1psi.
💯💯ðŸ‘ÂðŸ‘ÂðŸ‘Â
On my vw i have a high pressure and low pressure sending unit at the oil filter. Which one would i screw in the oil gauage?
I have a 1991 Camaro z28 that has great oil pressure when I start it but when the vehicle warms up the oil pressure drops drastically when it’s idling. Any advice as to what could be the problem?
in my engine it was the oil pump. I have a vw rabbit and after a long trip i had the oil pressure light come on and the buzzer. So the high pressure was no good i went to my garage and had it tested they said both high and low where no good and i had to have a new pump sinds the pan was off i had them chek the middle bearrings expecting to see streaking or copper but there was a lot of meat left and nothing wrong no discolloring streaks or axessive wear so we installed a new pump and it worked but the pressure was no good my garrage said my car is now running with the new pump for almost year and the high pressure is good as well as the low pressure. at least in my eyes because it does not sound the alarm or lights. I am still thinking of a valve seat replacement due to the grey ash on my plugs. but that is no big deal and a cheap fix.
It's really cool that you post these videos. I wish there was a mechanic I could trust in my area so I wouldn't have to figure out how to do all of this myself.