3.8 oil gauge goes to 120.

 

oh ok sorry, every car i have been in has only gone to 80

 

penzoil 10w - 30... temp was around 60 today (in Dallas). I talked with a few locals and they suggested the oil pressure relief valve might be stuck. anyone else have an opinion on this one? looks like an easy enuf part to get to... figured I'd change out the belt while I'm there.

 

it is very possible it could be the relief valve, especially since the filter got blown off

 

well it might be this weekend before I can get to it... but I will be sure and post what happens. until then, if anyone has any other possible suggestions I appreciate it!

 

Have you checked the oil pressure sensor? Its right above the filter and the majority of it is made of plastic. That, and stop using pennzoil, youll thank me later.

 

I would... but I do not have any reason to think the pressure is not correct because it blows the gasket off the filter.

 

welp I got in there and worked on it today... didn't go quiet as well as I had hoped. I took the housing off and the spring was "supposed" to pop out when the housing came off. I found the lil piston looking thing that the spring pushes back and forth (not sure what its technical name is). it is jammed in there tight and isn't moving. I guess this would explain the high pressure situation. so now the plan is to get that out, replace the spring and the piston looking thing that is stuck.

 

got the car running! that piston was gummed up and wedged in there so tight we had a hard time getting it out. we ended up drilling a hole in it, screwing a self tapping screw in and using a crowbar to get it out. cleaned it all up, dropped the new piston and spring in there... runs like a champ now!

 

Good to hear!