Low Oil Pressure?

[Croaker]

At idle I get the oil light coming on. While putting the engine under load (including everyday driving) it will go out. Sometimes it even comes and goes, not an everyday or time situation.

Any reason? Oil level is good, and clean.

-Kevin

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, only two things come to mind immediatly, the oil filter and the oil pump. I suppose it is possible that something has gone wrong with the pressure sensor, but that is not very likely. Obviusly the first thing to try is just changing the filter. Hopefully that will do the trick.

I have a gauge in mine instead of the idiot light. When the engine is completely warm (oil temp in the 160-180F range) the oil pressure will run about 40 psi on the highway at 70 mph or so. In the same conditions at a stop light, the pressure is very low, bouncing around at a few psi. It is possible that the gauge is not happy trying to measure at the bottom of its range, but it also could be that the idle pressure really is very low.

Anyone know for sure?

pax, smn

 

[wuzzzer]

Mark Hlady (LASTSHO) has an A-pillar 2 gauge pod and one of them is an oil pressure gauge. Maybe he can speak from personal experience about it.

 

[Croaker]

Well, I drove it for about an hour (highway speeds (70-95mph) the other day. I noticed that after the car warmed up it didn't do it as often and the light would flicker off and on a bit.

hmm...

thanks for the advice,

-Kevin

 

[SHOZ123]

I would put a tee fitting in at the sender. That way you could check the pressure whith a gauge. It's easy to get to by the oid filter.

I would also change the sender. If that isn't the problem it sounds like rod bearings.

 

[rakarb]

My gauge shows about 20psi at idle, warm engine, 50+ highway.
Running 5-30wt Mobil 1 right now, new filter yatta yatta.
Did this just start with our heat wave Kevin?
If so, try changing the oil to Mobil 1 and put in a K&N oil filter. It may be as simple as that. One other thing you might try, flush the engine real well prior to the oil change. I did that when I bought mine, flushed with that 10 minute stuff and a case of cheap oil, then the Mobil 1. Oh, and 2 or 3 cheap filters too. All in all it was about $50.00, but for the black crap that came out I'd say it was well worth it.
Brad

 

[LASTSHO]

My active gauge shows 20 at idle (warm) and about 45psi highway.

Must be something faulty if you're getting the idiot light coming on.

 

[mholhut]

It's the sending unit.

 

[Croaker]

Thanks Guys for the advice..
If no one else does...I appreciate it!

-Kevin

 

[SHODWN]

External gauges should be a requirement since these cars are getting older, I have a three place gauge pod for OIL pressure (20psi at idle) Trans Temp and air fuel ratio. its most likely the sending unit and its a 27 MM to remove it.