My car has low oil pressure. I’ve already changed the oil pressure sensor 3 times.
okay problem is the oil pressure keeps dropping
oil pressure but there's times where it drives fine with no drop in pressure and u hear no knocking. But then all of a sudden about when you gonna slow down or take it foot off the gas it drop below 40 and go all way down to 0 but if u give it gas the pressure goes backup. Then there are times when it runs fine no drop in pressure no knocking sound. I have replaced the oil pressure sensor three times. It hasn't fixed the problem. Please help
My car has 213182 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you have replaced the sensor three times and it did not fix the problem, then you may have problems with the oil pressure being low at idle due to wear in the engine bearings. The reason it would be fine sometimes and not others may be due to engine load and temperature changes. Have the oil pressure tested at the sensor port to see if it is low and needs engine repairs.
I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to perform an inspection to determine why the Oil Pressure Light is on.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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When the oil pressure is low or oil level is low, internal engine components that depend on proper lubrication will start to wear metal-to-metal. This can and often does cause the knocking or grinding sound. This is a situation that should be inspected and repaired by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
Low oil pressure can be caused by a clogged line, a bad pump, or a clogged filter. The low oil pressure would rob the engine of the oil it needs and produce a knocking sound. The oil pressure can be tested with a gauge.
Oil Level Is Too Low The oil level dropping below the minimum dipstick line is one of the most common causes of low oil pressure. This can happen at any time, even if you`ve recently had an oil change. Over time, engines burn oil more quickly. This is due to piston rings wearing, seals leaking, and so on.
One of the most common causes of engine knocking is low oil. If your car has been using more oil than usual, it`s a good idea to top it off. You can also try using a higher-quality oil, as this can help reduce engine wear. It`s important to regularly change your oil because dirty oil can also cause knocking.
The most common cause of engine knocking is low engine oil. You did well by replacing the oil first. Other likely causes of engine knocking are low oil pressure, bearing damage, pistons failing, wrist pins, or engine rods. All of these are rather serious and generally lead to the engine being rebuilt.
A faulty oil pressure sensor can falsely trigger a low oil pressure condition, which turns on the oil light. If the oil pressure sending unit is damaged, it can also cause the oil pressure light to blink on and off.
Without sufficient oil pressure, your car`s engine will operate with decreased lubrication and increased friction resulting in more heat. Engine overheating can be a complex issue. While it doesn`t always mean low engine oil pressure, low engine oil pressure can lead to an overheating engine.
Low oil pressure is no joke. Keep driving when the pressure drops and you will seriously damage your engine. If your oil light comes on or you see any other signs of low oil pressure, have your engine serviced as soon as possible.
Knocking occurs when fuel burns unevenly in your engine`s cylinders. When cylinders have the correct balance of air and fuel, fuel will burn in small, regulated pockets instead of all at once. (Think sparklers, not fireworks.)
A lean air/fuel mixture is one that doesn`t have enough fuel and too much air. Without enough fuel in each cylinder, the mixture won`t burn fast enough, allowing for multiple detonations — that`s engine knock.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car has low oil pressure. I’ve already changed the oil pressure sensor 3 times.
ANSWER : If you have replaced the sensor three times and it did not fix the problem, then you may have problems with the oil pressure being low at idle due to wear in the engine bearings. The reason it would be fine sometimes and not others may be due to engine load and temperature changes. Have the oil pressure tested at the sensor port to see if it is low and needs engine repairs.
I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to perform an inspection to determine why the Oil Pressure Light is on.
lost all oil pressure, replaced the oil pump, low oil sensor, oil pressure sensor, oil pan gasket,
ANSWER : The fuel pump will not stay on if you loose oil pressure. This is why it is shutting off. The loss of oil pressure may be from bad crankshaft bearings or camshaft bearings. The engine oil pan should be removed and the oil pump needs to be checked to ensure that you put in the pick up tube seal to the pump and connected the pump to the block. Then remove at least one main bearing cap and inspect the bearings for excessive wear and crankshaft damage. If you need some help with this, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help diagnose the issue with your oil pressure firsthand and help you fix it accordingly.
Low oil pressure light comes on when idle. Check engine light is on as well. Both came on after getting an oil change 3 days ago.
ANSWER : It is possible that they put in the wrong viscosity oil. In rare instances, a defective filter will also cause low pressure. If there is too much oil, it will aerate and cause low pressure. Be sure the oil level is really not above "max". The P2187 code will appear if the oil fill cap is not tight but it will also appear due to a myriad of causes because that code only "generally" identifies a lean running condition. Consequently, numerous parts would have to be tested including the O2 sensor, gas cap seal, manifold air leaks, any vacuum leak anywhere including PCV and EVAP systems, exhaust leaks, and fuel system faults such as failing fuel pump, clogged filter and more. Since the car has relatively low mileage, you would not expect a failed oil pump, although the pressure sensor (or switch) could be bad. However, the occurrence of the oil pressure warning light is quite coincidental to the oil change, thus I would suggest bringing the car back and asking them to redo with a new filter and double check the viscosity of the new oil that they use. If the problem persists after that, you will have to test actual operating oil pressure (at idle for instance) as well as the oil pressure switch. Finally, if the oil pressure warning light comes on continuously, unless the warning circuit itself is malfunctioning, that means the oil pressure is too low to operate the engine without damaging it. Anytime the light comes on for more than literally an instant, you should shut down the car and thus an issue like this obviously has to be repaired.
If you’d like, a YourMechanic certified mechanic can come to your home or place of business to inspect the vehicle and perform an oil pressure light is on inspection to diagnose the vehicle and suggest potential repairs.
My car stopped on the highway said low oil pressure took it to a shop they change the sensor still have the same problem
ANSWER : I believe you have 2 problems here. The fundamental problem is that you may REALLY have low oil pressure, since replacing the oil pressure sending unit has not changed the "low oil pressure" indicator. I would get a dial-type pressure gauge hooked up to the engine to see what oil pressure (in psi) you have both cold and hot – especially hot idle. Given your mileage, you may have worn crankshaft and connecting rod bearings, clogged oil pump pickup, worn oil pump, or other high mileage related issues which may require a rebuild of your engine.
The oil pressure sending unit does report "low pressure" to the engine control unit, which in turn shuts down the fuel pump (to protect the engine). You can jumper the oil pressure switch to run the fuel pump to get it to your service center. I would recommend having a Oil Pressure Light is ON Inspection completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who can come to your location, and diagnose this problem, get an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Would the car tell the percentage of the life of the oil, my car includes oil changes but the dealer won’t do it until the indicator shows the change oil soon message.
ANSWER : Hi there. There should be a select button with two directional arrows on the button. Push and hold the right directional arrow on the button and the dash should go from the odometer to the menu. Then scroll up by pushing up on the select button and you will be able to view the oil life percentage.
Truck dying and oil pressure dropping to 0
ANSWER : Your vehicle has a fair amount of miles on it, but the pressure reading should still come up when you are driving. With a new pressure sending unit and a new oil pump, there must be a blockage inside the engine or there may be a disturbed bearing that isn’t allowing oil to flow properly. Consider hiring a technician to check the actual mechanical oil pressure at the sending unit port and again at the oil filter. The same technician can check the knock sensors to see if the sensors are faulty or if they are going crazy because of an internal engine concern. Consult your nearest machine shop or engine repair facility.
Check engine light and oil light comes on before oil change?
ANSWER : Hi There,
As you may know, these lights are designed to come on at specific mileage intervals that are preset by the factory. When your mileage exceeds a certain amount relative to the last oil change, this will trigger the lights to come on. Typically this will include the oil light and the check engine light as there are also other basic service items that are checked during oil changes. I would recommend obtaining an owner’s manual for your car if you do not already have one. This will usually indicate the specific service intervals and recommended maintenance items for your vehicle at the various mileage intervals.
The tire pressure monitor will also come on when the air pressure in the tires has reached a specific threshold relative to the tire design specification. Tire pressure is also impacted by the outside air temperature. For every 10° drop in air temperature outside your tires will lose about 1% in PSI or inflation. As you may know, as the temperature of the air changes the density of the air changes as well causing the tire pressure to be impacted by this. When this happens, the sensors in the wheels will detect this change in tire pressure and cause the tire pressure light to come on. Aside from replacing faulty tire pressure sensors, another way to help prevent this type of fluctuation in tire pressure is by the use of Nitrogen in your tires rather than regular air. As you may know, air is approximately 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and the rest is water vapor and some other small concentrations of gases. Nitrogen is much less likely to migrate through tire rubber than oxygen. This will maintain your tire pressure much more consistently during large temperature fluctuations.
Stop car check oil warning
ANSWER : This light will usually come on when one of two things are happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil or the oil pressure sending unit is not working properly and may be producing a faulty reading. I would recommend first, to check the actual oil level in the motor by using the dipstick. Be sure the oil level reaches the "full" mark. If this registers as "full" then you likely have a faulty oil pressure sending unit. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle to determine what may be causing your low oil pressure light to come on.
