Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

[David B.]

I'm no mechanical whiz, by any means, but it's my guess that as long as the crankcase oil level is sufficient to cover the oil sump, then maximum oil pressure can be maintained. Is that correct?

If not, then maybe we could use our oil pressure gauge as a kind of dashboard-mounted dipstick. The oil pressure would reflect the relative oil level.

But I don't think so . . .

Dave

[Michael W.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

You were right with your first thought- as long as there's enough oil to avoid starving the pump the pressure will remain constant. The previous owner of my car thought otherwise........

[Tracy C.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

Your original assessment is correct. The only time oil pressure will drop off relative to oil level is when the the pan is sucked dry.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

at idle maybe but at full throttle the oil could not be returning to the pan fast enough to keep the pickup under oil if the sump is not filled to the correct level

[Robert P.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

the proper way to determine oil level is to check the dipstick. you cannot depend on oil pressure to give you a correct level.

bob pierce
52552

[Joe L.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

I'm no mechanical whiz, by any means, but it's my guess that as long as the crankcase oil level is sufficient to cover the oil sump, then maximum oil pressure can be maintained. Is that correct?

If not, then maybe we could use our oil pressure gauge as a kind of dashboard-mounted dipstick. The oil pressure would reflect the relative oil level.

But I don't think so . . .

Dave

Dave-----


If you wait until the oil pressure gauge tells you that you need to add oil (i.e. the gauge shows zero oil pressure), your engine will likely be damaged or destroyed.

[John H.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

Your oil will also be hotter as the level is reduced, and you don't want that either; use the dipstick.

[Philip P.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

Back in 1970 I bought a new SS396/375 with guages except it had an oil light, installed a guage as the oil light went out at 5 lbs pressure never could figure what they (Chevrolet) was thinking. Agree check the oil level at the dipstick.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

most all new cars now have a "LOW OIL" light because we no longer have service stations that "check your oil" so the driver does not ruin the engine running it with too low on oil level.

[Joe L.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

most all new cars now have a "LOW OIL" light because we no longer have service stations that "check your oil" so the driver does not ruin the engine running it with too low on oil level.

clem------


Yes, there's an oil level sensor in the pan. In fact, my 1992 Corvette has this system and it's almost 20 years old now.

[Terry M.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

clem------


Yes, there's an oil level sensor in the pan. In fact, my 1992 Corvette has this system and it's almost 20 years old now.

And those oil level systems, like the tire pressure monitors, are designed for folks who are too lazy to get out of the driver's seat, open the hood and check the oil level the old fashioned way -- or too lazy to stick a tire pressure gauge on the valve stem.

On the other hand there were (are?) some BMWs that had (have) no dip stick. The oil level, I am told, is measured by a device that reads out on the dash board. Leave it to the Germans.

[Paul J.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

And those oil level systems, like the tire pressure monitors, are designed for folks who are too lazy to get out of the driver's seat, open the hood and check the oil level the old fashioned way -- or too lazy to stick a tire pressure gauge on the valve stem.

On the other hand there were (are?) some BMWs that had (have) no dip stick. The oil level, I am told, is measured by a device that reads out on the dash board. Leave it to the Germans.

There might be another reason for this. Many BMWs were leased back in the 90's, and thier $180 oil changes were not popular. So many leasees never changed the oil. Why bother, it wasn't thier car. So BMW started including free oil changes in the lease agreements. Some say that this was because of thier certified used car programs. Maybe BMW is just reacting to thier experiences.

Paul

[Clem Z.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

And those oil level systems, like the tire pressure monitors, are designed for folks who are too lazy to get out of the driver's seat, open the hood and check the oil level the old fashioned way -- or too lazy to stick a tire pressure gauge on the valve stem.

On the other hand there were (are?) some BMWs that had (have) no dip stick. The oil level, I am told, is measured by a device that reads out on the dash board. Leave it to the Germans.

there are a lot of single women who owned cars and i bet they are not going to lift the hood and look for the dip stick. now days a lot of auto trans do not have a dip stick because a lot of people were over filling them and cause the fluid to over flow out the vent and sometimes cause a fire.

[Terry M.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

there are a lot of people who owned cars and i bet they are not going to lift the hood and look for the dip stick. now days a lot of auto trans do not have a dip stick because a lot of people were over filling them and cause the fluid to over flow out the vent and sometimes cause a fire.

There I corrected it for you. I know a lot of males who can't/won't lift the hood. A lack of common knowledge is no respecter of gender. We have raised a generation of mechanically ignorant people.

[John H.]

Re: Relationship between oil level and oil pressure

Leave it to the Germans.

Newer BMW's also have computer-controlled electric water pumps, too - the replacement pump only costs $2,910.00 (plus labor). No, you won't find it at AutoZone.