Ok, so I change my oil Friday. Was running a fram filter and 10W30 Pennziol Synthetic. Held great oil pressure the entire 5k, and needed about half a liter to top up. I replaced this with Mobil1 10w30 and a UAP Napa premium filter. The problem is that I don't seem to have the oil pressure that I used too, small drop but nothing to worry about, except at an idle. The gauge shows fine, around where it always has, but my idiot light comes on when the car is hot. It is just at an idle, and as soon as I touch the throttle it goes off. Everything is sealed and I have no leaks. Have put about 400km on this oil. Is the sensor faulty, or should I be concerned?

I would shop around for a better oil filter. FRAM is one of the cheapest out there.

Len...

I found that when I used Synthetic my oil pressure was always a little higher than if I had used regular oil. I think it may have something to do with Synthetic being a thinner oil.

I should clarify that both oils are synthetic, and that the Fram was replaced .

Your oil is thinning out as it gets hotter. At idle, your engine turns slow lowering the pressure enough to trigger the sensor. I've heard of this problem before. I'll see if I can find some info for you. Maybe the sensor is screwed. Find a way to test it. Ive never had trouble with mine so I dont know how to check it. I'll look in the service manual and post later.

Len...

take to CT and get the oil pressure checked.
If you get a reading of 11psi or high at normal operating temp. then replace the oil pressure switch.
If get a lower reading, then you are looking a more serious problem.Get an engine builder to check it out.
the cost to check the oil pressure should be around $40

Anyway to check this yourself? I mean the stock gauge reads fine, and the car only has 59,000km on it. Maybe I bumped the connector when I was down there or something, plus I don't trust crappy tire to work on my bicycle let alone touch my baby.

You could probably go to Walmart (or CT) and buy a crappy oil pressure gauge for less than $40.

I'm not sure how hard they are to install though.

Jeff Mitchell

Quoted from the service manual

"connect a tester(ohms range) between the terminal on the oil pressure switch and the body of the car and check for conductivity. If there is no conductivity (infinite resististance) replace the switch."

Check this and post results.

I've read somewhere that this problem was common to 2g engines. I'll see if I can find out more info and post for you.

Len...

[This message has been edited by Len Randall (edited March 13, 2001).]

I will try and get time to do the resistance check on Friday afternoon. Thanks for the help Len, I will let you know the results when I get them.

Well, never did get around to crawling around in the mud to check the resistence, but this seems to be one of those problems that fixed itself. The warning light is not coming on anymore, oh well, weird.