Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Windsor ON
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Hello all,
I have an 86 convertible that had the low oil pressure indicator light come on today while I was at a stoplight. Upon acceleration the pressure would go up and the indicator would go back to reading the pressure. What can I look for here. Don't want to drive it for fear of ruining an engine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks :confused:
I have an 86 convertible that had the low oil pressure indicator light come on today while I was at a stoplight. Upon acceleration the pressure would go up and the indicator would go back to reading the pressure. What can I look for here. Don't want to drive it for fear of ruining an engine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Low Oil Pressure Indicator (dalfano)
You can go to the hardward store, like Ace, and by a pressure gauge (I had one left over from when I installed my underground sprinkler system) and fittings.
You can then screw it into the block and verify the pressure.
You need to check what the oil temps are because when the oil gets really hot, the pressure drops a LOT!. Are the pressures still low when the engine is started cold?
If the pressure still checks low, I'd pull the oil filter, cut it open and look for bearing material. If you find GOLD inside, then you've got an engine rebuild on your hands.
What weight oil are you running? A heavier weight oil will bring up your pressures.
Let's hope it's just a malfunctioning gauge.
Hope this helps.
Jake
You can then screw it into the block and verify the pressure.
You need to check what the oil temps are because when the oil gets really hot, the pressure drops a LOT!. Are the pressures still low when the engine is started cold?
If the pressure still checks low, I'd pull the oil filter, cut it open and look for bearing material. If you find GOLD inside, then you've got an engine rebuild on your hands.
What weight oil are you running? A heavier weight oil will bring up your pressures.
Let's hope it's just a malfunctioning gauge.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Windsor ON
Re: Low Oil Pressure Indicator (JAKE)
The pressure is fine when the car is started cold. Today when it happened I checked the oil temp and it read 105 degrees celsius (around 220 fahrenheit). I am running 5W 30 sythentic oil. Also it was a hot day as well. Would a faulty sensor show the symptoms I described. One last note, the car only has 45,000 kms on it. Thanks for the input
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Low Oil Pressure Indicator (dalfano)
5 weight oil running at 220 F isn't going to make a lot of pressure at idle speeds anyway unless all the clearances are tight.
If you find no sign of excessive wear by inspecting the filter, and if using another gauge verifies the accuracy of your dash gauge, try a heavier weight oil, like 10W40 and see if the pressure increases at idle.
I had to install an aftemarket (Derale) oil cooler on my engine to keep the oil temps down and the idle pressure up without having to resort to a really heavy oil. My problem is due to the 400 block's siamesed bores causing higher oil temps.
20 psi is the lowest I like to see with engine oil fully heated, engine idling in gear.
Hope this helps.
Jak
If you find no sign of excessive wear by inspecting the filter, and if using another gauge verifies the accuracy of your dash gauge, try a heavier weight oil, like 10W40 and see if the pressure increases at idle.
I had to install an aftemarket (Derale) oil cooler on my engine to keep the oil temps down and the idle pressure up without having to resort to a really heavy oil. My problem is due to the 400 block's siamesed bores causing higher oil temps.
20 psi is the lowest I like to see with engine oil fully heated, engine idling in gear.
Hope this helps.
Jak
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: Low Oil Pressure Indicator (dalfano)
You're off to a good start looking at the pressure sender... I replaced the sender in my 88 TPI IROC Camaro because the pressure showed low when hot... I think they must get gunked up or something...
That little mod gave me about 20psi of oil pressure boost!!! :D
It was pretty cheap (~$20) if I remember correctly and should be in the same place as it was on my Camaro (top rear of left cyl head) so it's easy to change...
If that doesn't do it then I'd suspect an oil pressure problem... 5W-30 shouldn't set the oil pressure light off unless your engine is running with very loose tolerences...
That little mod gave me about 20psi of oil pressure boost!!! :D
It was pretty cheap (~$20) if I remember correctly and should be in the same place as it was on my Camaro (top rear of left cyl head) so it's easy to change...
If that doesn't do it then I'd suspect an oil pressure problem... 5W-30 shouldn't set the oil pressure light off unless your engine is running with very loose tolerences...
