2000 Astro Van high oil pressure

[IBS4000]

I have a 2000 Astro Van. When I stat the van the oil pressure gauge goes up past 90 then drops as the gasket on the oil filter blows out. I have changed the filter but it does the same thing. Is this a blockage somewhere or a bad oil pump. The oil has been changed regularly and the oil coming out from the gasket looks clean. Thank You for any help you offer.

[Blue Bowtie]

This sounds a bit like the old stuck oil filter gasket syndrome. Make sure there is only one gasket on the oil filter and that the old one is not stuck to the filter adapter. This is pretty common with orange oil filters.

[MagicRat]

Most likely the oil pressure relief valve is stuck closed. This valve is part of the oil pump and regulates the oil pressure.
Given that pumps are cheap, it's best to replace the entire pump unit.
This requires removing the oil pan, which may not be possible with the engine installed (not sure).

[cluckcluck]

I have a 2000 Safari and had the same issue about one year ago at aproxamately 120k miles. I ended up replacing the oil pump. It was not too hard of a job. Much easier on two wheel drive that all wheel because you have to loosen the axle support on the all wheel drive to have clearance for the oil pan removal etc.
I don't really recommend operating it in that condition but I put a high performance K&N filter on mine just to run it long enough to get home and into the garage. I did not have the money for another tow at the time but could afford the 15.00 filter.