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High Oil Pressure in an EA81??

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Not sure how much of a problem this is, but I am new to EA81's and am curious as to how bad this is.

I got an 86 Brat over the weekend and the Oil Pressure has been running high, over 50 at idle and 75 while running.

- I thought maybe it needed an oil/filter change so I did that and it had no effect (used 5/20 just to overcompensate)

- It seems to be running like a champ otherwise

- I did a search and only found "low" pressure problems??

 

Any thoughts???

Is that your pressure when warming up? How about when warm (operating temp)? I get 75 on my ea81 in the morning and 25 when I am running right. (warm)

 

 

Joshua

  • Author

When I am driving it will stay up at 75 all day long. If I leave it idle it will slowly drop a little close to 50.

Dave, Don't trust the guage in the dash, They always look either too high or too low. It may look real low but when you rev the motor it looks real high etc... If you are really worried, put a real guage on there, otherwise, don't sweat it. If you break that one I have a spare. I owe you anyway. As long as the car runs ok, I wouldn't worry about it.

  • Author
Dave, Don't trust the guage in the dash, They always look either too high or too low. It may look real low but when you rev the motor it looks real high etc... If you are really worried, put a real guage on there, otherwise, don't sweat it. If you break that one I have a spare. I owe you anyway. As long as the car runs ok, I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks everyone :D

Including the advice given during a phone call with Benebob the other night, this makes four respected opinions telling me what I was hoping to hear.

Sounds like it has good oil pump seals. I've resealed engines with near 200k miles and got oil pressures like that. No big deal. The EA81's run high like that when the pumps are in top form.

 

GD

I also have high readings in my 82 Brat. They were high pre and post oil pump rebuild. I believe it has to do with the old sending unit.

 

 

Bill

I used to have low readings, then I changed sending units. Now I have high readings. The pressure didn't change - only the readings. It's kind of like politics: you can change who is in charge, but no matter who is there, there's still a liar and a crook running the show. You've just got to believe in the system.

  • 6 years later...

I realize this is an old thread, but glad I found it. I just ran into this on my 84.5 Hatch. Didnt start reading high until after my oil change, I was really freaking out, the factory guage would be pegged at 75for a good 10 minutes, but she runs like a champ and no nasty sounds. Used a good filter and Mobil1 10w-30 right at the perfect level. Glad to know this isn't abnormal. I know it's a few years late... .but thanks guys :grin:

Edited by BigAl

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