Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator | Instantly Solve the Engine Puzzle


Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator

Your expert tool for solving the infamous Big Oil Day 2 engine puzzle in Payday 2. Find the correct fusion engine without the guesswork.



Find the gas name on a note, then match the color on the whiteboard in the lab.


A clipboard will specify how many hoses are connected to the large blue tank.


Enter the pressure value in PSI shown on the computer monitor in the lab.


Select the comparison symbol shown next to the PSI value on the monitor.
Enter the clues from the game to find the correct engine.

Engine Pressure Comparison Chart

Visual comparison of all 12 engine pressures (in BAR) against the calculated clue threshold.

What is the Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator?

The Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator is a specialized tool designed to solve the complex fusion engine puzzle on Day 2 of the Big Oil heist in the game Payday 2. This puzzle requires players to find three specific clues scattered throughout the map to identify the single correct prototype engine out of twelve possibilities. Failure to secure the correct engine results in mission failure, making this puzzle a common point of frustration. This calculator removes the ambiguity and potential for error by processing the in-game clues for you, ensuring you and your team can secure the right engine every time.

Payday 2 Big Oil Puzzle: Formula and Explanation

The “formula” for solving the Big Oil puzzle is a process of deduction based on three distinct clues. This calculator automates this logic. The most critical step involves a unit conversion from PSI to BAR.

  1. Gas Identification: A clue (usually on a notebook or clipboard) will name a gas: Nitrogen, Deuterium, or Helium. A whiteboard in the lab shows which color canister corresponds to each gas.
  2. Hose Count: A separate clipboard will indicate the number of hoses connected to the correct engine’s large blue tank (e.g., “H” for 1, “2xH” for 2).
  3. Pressure Conversion: A computer in the lab will show a pressure value in PSI (e.g., > 5801 psi). The engines themselves have gauges that read in BAR. The crucial conversion is:

    Pressure in BAR = Pressure in PSI / 14.50377

Our Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator performs this conversion instantly and filters a list of all possible engines to show you exactly which one to grab.

Variables Table

Variable Meaning Unit Typical Range
Gas Type The type of gas in the small colored canister. Categorical (Helium, Deuterium, Nitrogen) One of the three types.
Hose Count Number of hoses on the large blue tank. Integer 1, 2, or 3.
Pressure (PSI) The pressure clue found on the computer. Pounds per square inch (PSI) ~5600 to ~5900 PSI.
Pressure (BAR) The pressure shown on the engine gauges. Bar ~385 to ~415 BAR.

Practical Examples

Example 1:

Your team finds the following clues:

  • Note: “Nitrogen”
  • Clipboard: “2xH”
  • Computer: “≤5812 psi”

You input these into the Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator. The calculator determines that ≤5812 PSI is approximately ≤400.7 BAR. It then highlights the engine that has a Yellow (Nitrogen) can, 2 Hoses, and a pressure gauge reading of 400 BAR or less.

Example 2:

You find these clues:

  • Note: “Helium”
  • Clipboard: “H”
  • Computer: “> 5900 psi”

The calculator converts >5900 PSI to >406.8 BAR. It then identifies the correct engine as the one with a Green (Helium) can, 1 Hose, and a pressure reading above 406.8 BAR (which would be the 410 BAR engine).

How to Use This Payday 2 Big Oil Calculator

Using this tool is a simple, step-by-step process:

  1. Find the Clues: Work with your team to find the three clues in the house and lab: the gas type, the hose count, and the pressure reading from the computer.
  2. Enter Gas Type: Select the correct gas from the first dropdown. The corresponding color is listed for convenience.
  3. Enter Hose Count: Select the number of hoses from the second dropdown.
  4. Enter Pressure: Type the numerical PSI value from the computer screen into the “Pressure Value” field.
  5. Select Condition: Choose whether the clue was “Greater than” or “Less than” from the final dropdown.
  6. Check the Result: The calculator will instantly update the results table, highlighting the single correct engine that matches all your criteria. A summary will also tell you exactly what to look for.

Key Factors That Affect the Big Oil Puzzle

  • Clue Location Spawns: The notebooks and clipboards can spawn in many different locations, so a thorough search of the house is essential.
  • Correct Pressure Conversion: The most common point of failure is miscalculating the PSI to BAR conversion. This calculator eliminates that risk.
  • Hose Identification: Players must correctly identify the number of hoses attached to the top of the large blue tank.
  • Gas-Color Correlation: You must check the whiteboard in the lab to correctly link the gas name (e.g., Deuterium) to its color (Blue).
  • Reading the Condition Symbol: Correctly interpreting the > (greater than) or < (less than) symbol on the computer is critical.
  • Team Communication: Clearly communicating the found clues to the person using the Payday 2 Big Oil calculator is paramount for a quick solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I pick the wrong engine?
Bain will inform you that you picked the wrong engine, and the helicopter will leave without it. This results in failing the primary objective of the heist day.
Where do the clues spawn?
The gas and hose clues can spawn on tables, floors, and counters throughout the entire house and lab. The pressure clue is always on a computer screen in the lab.
Do I need all three clues?
Yes, to be 100% certain, you need all three clues. With only two clues, you can narrow it down to a few possibilities, but it will still be a guess.
Is the pressure value always the same?
No, the specific PSI value on the computer screen can vary between heists.
What do the hose clues “H”, “2xH”, and “3xH” mean?
“H” means one hose, “2xH” means two hoses, and “3xH” means three hoses are connected to the large blue hydrogen tank on the engine.
Why does this calculator use BAR instead of PSI?
Because the gauges on the engines in the game are in BAR. The clue is given in PSI, so a conversion is necessary to match the clue to the engine gauge.
Can I solve this puzzle on my own?
It is possible but very difficult due to the time it takes to find all three clues, which are often spread far apart. It is highly recommended to do this with a team.
Is there an achievement for getting the engine right on the first try?
Yes, successfully taking the correct engine on the first attempt will award the “Doctor Fantastic” achievement.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

If you found our Payday 2 Big Oil calculator helpful, check out these other resources:

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