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Brad Jenner Posted on Apr 05, 2014
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Low oil pressure reading

Oil pressure is reading fine, until it starts to travel over 80km/hr., then gives a low pressure reading. Oil level is good. & oil has just been changed & filter

3 Answers

truekraut

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  • Expert 118 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 05, 2014
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It could be a few things causing this, oil sending unit going bad, oil pressure relief valve, wrong weight of oil, or the engine has very high mile on it

Bill Boyd

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  • Toyota Master 53,816 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 05, 2014
Bill Boyd
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Check that the oil level is not over the mark as this causes foaming of the oil and loss of pressure. At 80km/hr you will be doing around 3 grand and that will be enough to whip the excess oil into froth.. Too much oil is worse than too little oil.

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  • Toyota Master 3,131 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 21, 2015
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Check the oil level is not over full and is the grade for that engine, remove the oil pressure sender unit and fit a mechanical oil pressure gauge, idle oil pressure should be 15 psi or higher, if ok replace the sender unit, if little or no oil pressure , check the oil pump for a stuck return valve or broken return spring, do not drive till fault is fixed or damage will result.

5 Related Answers

ginko

Ginko

  • 19396 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 24, 2008

SOURCE: fluctuation on the oil pressure gauge reading

The oil pressure sending unit is a sensor with an internal diaphragm, if the internal diaphragm is damaged , or the line to the diaphragm is blocked you can get this kind of fluctuation on the oil pressure gauge.

The oil pressure value must be read by installing a mechanical gauge near to the oil pressure switch and checking the pressure.

If pressure is ok, replace the sending unit. If there is a real pressure drop, check the oil pump.

If you still get fluctualtion after replacing the oil pressure sending unit, replace the oil pressure gauge.

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Anonymous

  • 421 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 01, 2008

SOURCE: 6 Cyl 1998 Toyota Camry Oil Pressure Light

these cars have problems with bad oil pressure warning switches you may have someone put an oil pressure gauge on the car and make sure your pressure is within spec and go ahead and change the sender if it checks out please rate -jeff

tbirdfan1

Michael Thomas

  • 3056 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 18, 2009

SOURCE: Low oil pressure reading on ´96 Toyota T100

hi ben
my answer would be yes i would wory about it...
Guages are put on vehicals for a reason not just for looks i would have the car hooked to a diagnostic center and checked even though the guage may be faulty but i wouldnt take a chance

dealt_soul

James Bradburn

  • 299 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 17, 2009

SOURCE: My oil pressure light comes on at very low speed on 96 camry

Take a gauge and check you oil pressure. If its not low then change the pressure sensor. If the pressure varies and the pressure is not where it is supposed to be, then drop the oil pan and look in the bottom of the pan. If you see slivers of metal then the bearings are going out. Eather the cam bearing, rod bearing, or main bearings.

chayRunner

  • 9 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 29, 2009

SOURCE: oil consumption, no smoke, no leaks

Yes a crappy PVC valve can cause some of your problems but not necessarily all of them, they are cheap, I always replace it to start. The air cleaner housing being full of oil is like how the oil is being consumed. In addition to a PVC valve, there may also be a blow-by hose running into the housing. check to see what other hoses go into the housing & which ones have oil coming from them. I'm not familiar with the "Motor Honey" you mentioned but I rarely add additives to my Engine oil, especially if they are thickeners. The only stuff I recommend is a Quaker state or similar "High Mileage Oil". These semi-synthetic oils have additives to swell old rubber & cork seals in older engines and can help reduce oil consumption & leakage. Again, it may not be a total solution, but it couldn't hurt to drain out all of the existing oil & replace with a high mileage type & also change the filter at the same time. Never mix it with other oils, despite the manufacturer telling you it may be safe to do so.

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Keith, it probably is the oil pressure light.

Low oil level causes low oil pressure. But, as you say .. your oil level is okay. It may be the oil pressure sender which is at fault. There's every possibility that your oil pressure is fine, but the sender is sending a false signal to your dashboard which gives the 'low oil level' warning light.

Get the mechanic at your local dealership to stick his head under the hood. You'll get a diagnosis in seconds. I don't think you have too much to worry about .. just that 'low oil level' warning light is a bit unsettling ..
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Is this high mileage vehicle? If so, I doubt changing oil pump will help, you may need engine overhaul?
Sometimes, you use an analog pressure gage in place of the oil pressure sending unit, to read actual oil pressure. My info says at idle, oil pressure 4.3 psi or more. At 3000 rpms, it says 43--78 psi.
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No, the issues are probably not related. If you are low on oil, you risk blowing your engine; that's why a tow was recommended. However, it's easier and cheaper to add oil... If you are getting a low oil pressure indication and you have a normal oil level, you should not run the engine until the problem is fixed (bad oil pump, blown or worn oil seal(s), etc.) Low oil level can result in low oil pressure, which damages the engine.

At this point, you may want to consider whether the vehicle is worth the cost of the repair. If it hasn't used oil before, the problem may be relatively simple - it could even be a faulty oil pressure sensor. But if it's blowing blue smoke or cylinder compression is way below specification, the engine is likely due for an overhaul or replacement.
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Oil pressure gauge not working and it has low oil level some please explain this to me

A low oil level will cause the gauge not to work or read "low" because the sensor is designed to read pressure of the oil as it travels through the engine. Are you getting a message displayed as well ? I would start by making sure the oil is clean and at the proper level on the dipstick. If the oil level is low make sure you first fill it to the proper level then look for a leak. If the oil level is okay then it is possible the oil pressure sender could be bad. Good luck ?
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You don't give the make model and year, but I would say you are right in your guess the problem is venting. The hose to the air cleaner could have frozen closed for one example.
You could damage the engine bearings and the oil pump running the engine low on oil.
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On my 93 Dodge Caravan ES 3.3L, when it comes to a stop and idles (at a light mostly) the check gauges light comes on. When the check gauges light comes on the oil gauge is at the bottom. When I tap...

Okay What it means is that the oil in your car is either low in level or the oil pressure at low revolutions is low. I highly recommend you to stop driving the car when this happen because you can internally damage the engine with a low oil or a low pressure of oil. Check the oil level first..make sure level is fine and oil looks good. Black and burned oil will give you a low oil pressure as well. If it happen that your car need a oil change. Make sure you get it done and see if the problem goes away. Very rarely oils pressure sensor goes bad but if oil is new and level is fine you can take the oil pressure sensor and connect a tester for a oil pressure. If this is not under the manufacturer specifications.. oil pump is worn out and you have to replace it for a new one.
Good luck and don't forget to rte me. Thanks
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How do I check and possibly replace the engine oil pressure sensor in a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali?

Oil Pressure Test Check for proper oil pressure at the sending unit passage with an externally mounted mechanical oil pressure gauge. A tachometer may also be needed, as some specifications may require running the engine at a specific RPM.
  1. While the engine is cold, locate and remove the oil pressure sending unit.
  2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge and, if necessary, a tachometer to the engine.
  3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
  4. Note and record the oil pressure reading when the engine is cold. The engine may need to run at a specified RPM, if so check the vehicle's specification.
  5. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached.
  6. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the value. Turn off the engine.
Compare the hot oil pressure reading to the specification. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the specification. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, the engine may have the wrong viscosity oil. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, and then repeat the test.
Low oil pressure readings could be attributed to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a faulty pressure relief valve.
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If you go to Auto Zone or Parts Source, they'll have the oil pressure sending unit and the step by step instructions, When installing the new sensor. Do not use teflon tape or any sealant, the sensor is tapered and need's the good ground from the engine to give you right readings.
Good luck and hope this helps.
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