2006 Xterra. Low oil pressure gauge at idle to normal when driving. Manual testing indicates all is fine. Oil sending unit replaced. Digital instrument panel replaced. Oil level fine. This car is babied! I'm $1K in for parts/labor so far. Could this indicate a replacement of the timing chain case cover seal that I've read about? Any suggestions on what else this could be?
Re: 2006 Xterra. Low oil pressure gauge at idle to
Inner timing cover oil gallery gaskets are more than likely your problem...you can make your own for 10 dollars or give nissan 500 for a new cover as they dont supply the gaskets....check the oil pan for gasket material...thats a sure sign they blew out but they may be gone and still holding together so its not always accurate...
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Do not drive the truck until the issue is resolved.
1. Make sure the oil is at the proper level in the engine with the correct spec oil for the pickup. Oh it is normal for the oil pressure to be a little low at idle and go up to the normal range as the engine rpm goes up to normal operating range.
2. It could be either a real problem or a problem with the oil pressure indicator. To verify which connect a mechanical test pressure gauge of the proper range say a 0-100 psig scale to the point where the oil pressure sensor is connected. After it is connected test run the engine for a short period. If the pressure shows normal replace the oil pressure sensor. If the gauge confirms the low oil pressure then you have a serious issue in the engine. It could be:
1. Bad oil pump or oil pressure relief valve
2. excessive clearance in the bearings due to high miles.
Well according to the owners manual, anything from low up to the last mark is normal. I think they mean anything from the low mark up half way is normal for idle.
If the gauge stays near L at idle and while driving, you could have low oil pressure or a gauge problem. A mechanic would check pressure with a mechanical gauge.
Normal for most engines is around 25-40 psi at idle and 30-60 psi when driving.
Since you already know what your physical oil pressure is at idle I
would try to get an accurate spec from Ford. if 10psi is normal the the
problem is likely the switch or cluster. If it is below spec it could be high mileage (normal bearing wear will
lower idle pressure) a weak bypass spring in the pump, or a the wrong
oil filter or oil. If you are not hearing any "lifter clatter" or knocking when u start it, I wouldn't be too concerned about a bad pump or engine damage just yet. Use only 5/30 or 10/30! anything thicker can cause cam damage due to oil starvation. Also going to long between oil changes can lower idle pressure as the oil looses viscosity and thins out. According to factory wiring diagrams 2001 F150 does not have a pressure gauge , it has a warning light, however when I read the test procedure it talks about a gauge. either way, light or gauge, it uses a switch (not a sender) to signal the cluster that oil pressure is either above or below a certain value. again, I'm sorry, i don't know what that value is. The instrument cluster receives ground through an oil pressure switch. When oil pressure is above a certain pressure the switch closes and the instrument cluster then turns out the light or indicates "normal" oil pressure. if the pressure is below a certain value the switch is open (the circuit to the cluster is not grounded) and the light will be on or the gauge will read no pressure. The light or gauge is NOT directly controlled by the switch. If it has a gauge the gauge will show an increase in pressure when engine RPM increases (calculated by the cluster) it is not showing true pressure. if your idle pressure is normal, you can test the by grounding the circuit at the switch, key on, if the light is out or the gauge reads normal the problem is the switch (assuming that physical pressure is above spec). If the idle pressure is slightly below spec you could try an oil stabilizer like Lucas or STP and keep your oil change intervals to 3500 miles. I hope this helps, feel free to contact me for more information
First thing is find out if the oi pressure is really high. Remove the oil pressure sending unit and hook up a oil pressure test gauge kit, if the pressure is within normal then replace the sending unit first. (requires a special socket)
I would take the sender out and install a temporary manual gauge (we use a manual SW gauge connected to a 3' length of 1/4" high pressure hose). If the oil pressure is normal on the manual gauge then about the only thing left is the gauge itself.
Hi. This issue has several causes, but the oil light indicator is a strong sign of low pressure in the engine. This will cause the engine lubrication rate to drop, thus, producing a illuminated oil light, and erratic Oil pressure readings. The necessary actions are to have a manual oil pressure test ran on this engine, asap. When running a manual oil pressure test, you will discover if the true oil pressure is low, or normal. If the test proves that the oil pressure is, indeed, low, this will confirm that the Oil pump is suspect.
Now, if the true readings given during the manual oil pressure test are indicating that the pressure is normal, this will be the result of a failed sending unit(oil pressure switch). Although the oil pressure is suspect, this is not your only issue here. There seems to be a abnormal compression rate, present. This is causing the rough idle, and erratic RPMs. I recommend to administer a engine block compression test, as well. This test will discover if , indeed, there are issues within the cylinder heads, and block structure, such as a worn head gasket, cylinder wall issues, and cracked block. Normally, these issue will send signs, like white, or gray smoke out the tail pipe, or discolored oil. It will, also, promote erratic RPM ratings, and a rough idle. Have the oil pressure test, and engine block compression test ran, asap.
Once the test are administered, you will be able to isolate the actual problem areas, more accurately. Check the spark plug wire sets, and ignition assembly for faults, also.
Hi. This issue has several causes, but the oil light indicator is a strong sign of low pressure in the engine. This will cause the engine lubrication rate to drop, thus, producing a illuminated oil light, and erratic Oil pressure readings. The necessary actions are to have a manual oil pressure test ran on this engine, asap. When running a manual oil pressure test, you will discover if the true oil pressure is low, or normal. If the test proves that the oil pressure is, indeed, low, this will confirm that the Oil pump is suspect.
Now, if the true readings given during the manual oil pressure test are indicating that the pressure is normal, this will be the result of a failed sending unit(oil pressure switch). Although the oil pressure is suspect, this is not your only issue here. There seems to be a abnormal compression rate, present. This is causing the rough idle, and erratic RPMs. I recommend to administer a engine block compression test, as well. This test will discover if , indeed, there are issues within the cylinder heads, and block structure, such as a worn head gasket, cylinder wall issues, and cracked block. Normally, these issue will send signs, like white, or gray smoke out the tail pipe, or discolored oil. It will, also, promote erratic RPM ratings, and a rough idle. Have the oil pressure test, and engine block compression test ran, asap.
Once the test are administered, you will be able to isolate the actual problem areas, more accurately. Check the spark plug wire sets, and ignition assembly for faults, also...
The gauges on some of these weren't overly accurate so I would suggest having someone test the oil pressure with a mechanical test gauge temporarily installed in place of the oil pressure sending unit to see what the actual pressure really is with the engine fully warmed up at an idle [this is when the pressure would be at it's lowest point] If you have 15 psi or above then that's about normal. If you have less than 10 psi then that's getting fairly low and could be the result of worn internal bearings. If you have good oil pressure but your gauge reads very low then you might just have an inaccurate or faulty sending unit that isn't reporting the right pressure reading to the gauge. Once you have the actual pressure tested you'll know where to look next.
Hi. This will indicate that there may be some sludge build up in the block, or the oil pressure switch may be damaged. The more serious issue will be a failing oil pump. To isolate the issue, simply, have a oil pressure test ran on this engine. If the test indicates that the true oil pressure is optimal at idle, kindly replace the oil pressure switch. Now, if the test proves that the pressure is indeed lower than factory specifications, this will confirm that the pump is damaged. Have the pump, and oil pump screen replaced, in this case.
NOTE_ I would, also, recommend to have the engine flushed asap.
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