Oil Pressure

Oil pressure is an important factor in the longevity of most internal combustion engines. With a forced lubrication system, oil is picked up by a positive displacement oil pump and forced through oil galleries (passageways) into bearings, such as the main bearings big end bearings and camshaft bearings or balance shaft bearings.

 

Oil pressure is a measure of the force pushing the engine oil through the engine. Normal oil pressure is 20 to 50 pounds per square inch abbreviate PSI. Our oil pressure will normally rise and fall with the engine speed, shown on our tachometer gauge. Most vehicles require at least 10 PSI of oil pressure for each 1000 RPM of engine speed.

 

Oil pressure is critical to the engine. If the oil pressure gauge drops, the engine must be turned off. Severe engine damage will occur very quickly if oil pressure is too low.