Alterscape

I drive a 2003 350z enthusiast, auto tranny. Had my car in the shop two weeks ago for an oil change and to get the driver's side power window motor replaced (ugh!). I went to start my Z this afternoon, and noticed that the engine oil pressure gauge in the center console jumped immediately to 120PSI+. Shut down, waited 15 minutes, checked the oil -- normal oil level. Turned the ignition to "on" (lights/instruments test) and the needle jumps to about 60, and hovers there. I was about 20 miles from home, and decided to just deal since there are no other warning lights -- during the drive, the pressure settled to about 110 driving on the freeway at ~2000 RPM, and it lowered to about 70 idling at home. Engine temp was well within normal range for the entire drive. I admit I don't carefully watch the oil pressure gauge, but I know it was not showing this high immediately after the oil change.

How freaked out should I be? I called my father (a shade tree mechanic) and sight unseen, he thinks it's a bad connection or a bad sensor, rather than an actual mechanical problem. The lack of other warning indicators and normal engine temp backs this up. I'm probably going to take it back to the shop and get them to look at it in the morning, but.. how worried should I be? I'm thinking I'm looking at either a bad oil pressure sensor, or a bad connection, but I'm not entirely certain.

Nexx

iTrader: (41)

its a bad sensor, easy fix but the damn thing costs $70 or so.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

High oil pressure reading is not unusual. Been addressed a dozen times with fix.

CG350z

+1 I got one at carquest for $60.00.
FYI its by the oil filter

scotts300

iTrader: (46)

Does it show 120psi before you give it any gas? High oil pressure upon start-up is typical.

tylerxfire

iTrader: (15)

as stated its the sensor, do some searching, easy fix and a million threads for it. . someone posts this up everyday, why dont the mods find the best thread about it and just sticky it...very common thing that goes wrong after a while

lilpud

mine did/ sometimes still does this. i think mine just gets stuck, cuz i can just tap the top of the gauge and it gets unstuck and work fine.

so just try to tap the gauge before you go spending 60-80 bucks

shiftdrift06

iTrader: (24)

that happen to mines also. Try turning the car to ACC, but not the engine on. if it jumps up without the engine on, then most likely a bad sensor.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Always happy to help. If you have other questions please do not hesitate to waste my time.