Hey guys,

My oil pressure used to be fine..was fine after I changed it ~500miles ago...but since I did my timing belt I have noticed LOW oil pressure. Like ~1 on the gauge (early 85) and not really increasing with revs. Got the car home and parked asap.

I have 10w30 in there...will switch to 20w50 (searchd it was better)

What do you guys think? There is no ticking or knocking

Mike

 

Did you do just belts without removing the crank pulley? I would think no matter what weight oil that oil pressure would climb as revs increase. Sounds like something electrical or a grounding issues. Even a failing OPRV will move up and down until it jams in one position.

 

If the crank gear bolt is loose or not torqued to spec than the oil pump will not be driven at the right speed. The oil pump is right behind the crank gear and pulley. That is my hunch, and I have heard of it happening. While 10w-30 is really to light for this time of year, you should still be seeing an increase with revs from idle. And regardless you should see 5bar + when the engine is still cold. Check the torque on the crank bolt and let us know. Torque spec is 155ft/lbs.

 

Crank Pulley was not removed.

Just did belts.

Thanks!
Mike

 

Check the crank pulley for sure. It has to be at least 155 ft/lbs. I've had these things loosen up, even with loctite. Another design flaw of this motor.

 

can I check it by putting the trans in 1st gear, grabbing a a breaker bar with a 24mm socket and just tightening it? I dont know anyone or have a torque wrench that reads that high

 

Mike, OT, but did you get everything taken care of with the tensioner? Are the belts all set now?

 

Yup Ted, thanks

BTW: Breaking that nut loose was a bitch. Luckily a 3/4" wrench fit on the other side of the tensioner

 

Ok. Just got back from work (had to drive the car) and noticed the following

1. The oil pressure (according to the gauge) goes DOWN as the car warms up. it goes from 4-5 at startup idle..to 3-4 idle..to 3-4 when crusing in gear..down till ~1.After 15 minutes of the car running the gauge is at a lil under one with the light on constantly (other then at idle). Good thing my house is only 15 minutes away from work.

2. The oil pressure DECREASES (again, according to the gauge) as revs increase (free revving or if I go from NO throttle to any throttle in gear, when moving)

3. When the gauge drops under one..the oil light in the dash goes..along with the emergency brake light and the light next to it in the center console (where A/C controls..seatbelt warning..oil pressure gauge..etc is)

4. I hear NO knocking or ticking at all AND the oil level is fine

I will switch to 20w50 ASAP..but this is still worrying me...seems like this car likes to get a major problem once the old one is sorted out...

thanks
mike

 

Bump before I go out...wanna keep it up so we can get this figured out

Thanks guys!!!
Mike

 

i think you need a flywheel lock if you are going to be yanking on your cranks nut, rather than just put it in first gear

 

Well, I have the same exact problem Mike, Ill be following this thread closly.

 

Hah, I've bookmarked your threads already!

Are you still driving your caR?

Thanks!
Mike

 

Yeah Mike ive been driving my car. Im getting a little above 3 bar when Im driving, which im comfortable with, but I wish was higher, and at idle im at below 1 bar, but the light only flickers on sometimes. I put my idle up to compensate a little bit. I assume that its not the smartest idea driving it right now, but I have to imagine that as long as im not hearing anything going wrong (I would think that if oil was not getting to the lifters that I would hear them click?), and oil pressure is only dangerously low at idle, that I 'should' be fine for now. Right now im leaning towards the Oil pressure sending unit, but I dont have money to fix it right now being a poor teenager. Ill definatly be keeping an eye here to see how people respond to this thread, and PM me if you figure it out on your own. Good luck Mike!

Jeff

 

Change your oil and see if it fixes the problem. You may have water in it. Your oil pressure is way too low and will quickly lead to problems.

BTW, the oil pressure is supposed to go down as the car warms up. Should be 5 bar at cold idle and around 2 at hot idle.