Chevrolet Repair: *4 camaro, oil pressure gauge, displacement gear

Question
The oil gauge in my 94 camaro goes way pass 80.  What does that mean?  Is it dangerous?

Answer
Hey Mary Ann,

  There is two possible correct answers to this and the fact I have run into it dozens of times I am going to go with the second one but the technical answer will be first.

  Oil pressure is generated on your vehicle with a positive displacement gear pump.  Pump RPM is directly proportional to engine RPM.  Therefore the greater the RPM the greater the oil pressure.  To ensure oil pressure is regulated at a specified pressure a spring return oil pressure regulator is used.  Oil pressure fights against this spring pressure and excess oil is dumped back to the pan for the sump to pick up.  If a master gauge was used and oil pressure was actually 80psi this can be caused by a stuck regulator, plugged filter and or restriction in the oiling system.  Providing that service intervals were properly met these conditions probably do not exist.
  It is VERY common for the oil pressure gauge circuit to fail.  In most cases the OPS (oil pressure sensor) starts to internally leak and destroy the resistance strip that is used to control the needle on the gauge.  You probably noticed that the gauge was acting funny by fluttering at a certain RPM or bouncing when engine was fully warm or fully cold.  I suspect the OPS as a failure.
  In rare cases the gauge in the dash fails.  I have taken several apart over the years and the low temperature solder starts to melt and drip off onto the coils causing a short increasing the magnetic field on one side drawing the needle over.
  The best thing to do at this point is check your engine oil.  Make sure it is clean and has no debris floating on the stick.  Look under the car and make sure there is no oil coming out.  It wouldn't hurt to have a technician check it.  The OPS's range in price from 12 dollars to 45 dollars depending on the plug and style.  They are very easy to replace and a special socket is usually required.

Wayne Howie