Low Oil Pressure Warning Light

[tac27]

I'm receiving the low oil pressure warning light; I've been working with an indie mechanic who has completed work yet the condition persist. It only appears at idle, and then only for a brief moment. It doesn't always appear, for example, my wife drove the car yesterday and no light. But then, maybe the car just likes her better than me.

The car also refuses to cooperate when it is at the indie; again, maybe the car prefers his company over mine too.....So, his solution has been to replace the crankcase breather tube. It was improperly installed by a different indie mechanic who replaced the AOS nearly a year ago; it had four large cracks in it. He felt that perhaps this was a leak in the system causing the light. unfortunately, the light appeared the next afternoon during my commute home from work, but with four large cuts in the hose, it still needed to be replaced anyway.

While the car was at the garage, I had the clutch replaced; he also replaced the RMS. There are no issues with the IMS, and there is absolutely no oil leaking from anywhere on the engine. It isn't as clean as OrientExpress', but it is pretty clean!

The oil pressue sending unit was replaced last summer. So neither I or the indie have paid much attention to it other than checking that the connectors or connected to it.

So I puchased a Durametric hoping I could catch it right when it happened. The only fault codes are one regarding the radio and one about the lumbar sensor in the seat. I keep the oil level right at the top mark of the dipstick; I use the recommended Mobile 1 0W 40.

I recently performed a seach and found a thread that discussed a similiar issue; I think Loren had posted a response that outlined searching for fault codes and then something about a line test or something like that if there were no faults. I can see the Duramtric has a tab about line test; problem is I cant find that thread again.

So my question is if that thread is familiar to someone and could point me to it or explain what 'line test' I should be performing.....or if someone has had a similiar experience and solution.

Tim

Las Vegas

Here's an update:

I was able to get the car to communicate the oil pressure error message. This instance the red dash oil 'idiot light' (along the row including the 'park' and 'seat belt' light below the tach) didn't illuminate or it did so briefly that I didn't notice it. When I got home I left the car running, hooked up the Durametric and found no codes, other than what I listed in my original post. I turned the car off, removed the key, reinserted the key and restarted...the dash/instrument cluster error message seen in the picture was gone.

Edited August 7, 2010 by tac27

[RFM]

The fault code should be stored in the dash (combi instrument) memory, i would do a test drive with a professional oil pressure gauge installed to have a more clear look what's really happen. If the pressures are normal (directly measured from the engine with the prof. gauge) check the wiring's, connectors and dash.

[tac27]

The fault code should be stored in the dash (combi instrument) memory, i would do a test drive with a professional oil pressure gauge installed to have a more clear look what's really happen. If the pressures are normal (directly measured from the engine with the prof. gauge) check the wiring's, connectors and dash.

Thanks RFM...one more question...can you recommend the oil pressue tool? Does it attach to the oil filler tube?

Tim.

[RFM]

The pressure tool (gauge) is connected via an adapter on the same spot as the standard one, each dealer should have that tool.

[Steve Tinker]

Tim, looking at your picture, it appears that you have nearly 100,000miles on the car. Seeing that you only get the low pressure warning @ idle revs, why not try a slightly heavier oil - say 10W40 or 15W50 weight - instead of the 0W40 you are currently using. It maybe a combination of high mileage and hot low viscosity oil at low revs causing the problem.

[tac27]

The fault code should be stored in the dash (combi instrument) memory, i would do a test drive with a professional oil pressure gauge installed to have a more clear look what's really happen. If the pressures are normal (directly measured from the engine with the prof. gauge) check the wiring's, connectors and dash.

I chatted with the dealer....they want $125 minimal to perform that test; more $ to replace the sensor.....

I figure with the cost to purchase the part from a third party at around $50 I'm $75 ahead even if it isn't the sensor......

I found another thread that suggested grounding the sensor and observing what the guage does...going to try that, see what that reveals.

[tac27]

Tim, looking at your picture, it appears that you have nearly 100,000miles on the car. Seeing that you only get the low pressure warning @ idle revs, why not try a slightly heavier oil - say 10W40 or 15W50 weight - instead of the 0W40 you are currently using. It maybe a combination of high mileage and hot low viscosity oil at low revs causing the problem.

Changed to heavier oil Thursday afternoon (new filter, too), got light on Saturday afternoon.......