YACT: Oil light on

[GasX]

My oil light came on last night on the way home. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil which was fine if not a tad over max. I continued the drive home and noticed no significant increase in engine temperature on the way home. I plan to take it to the mechanic tomorrow, but was wondering what the likely problem is so I go to the mechanics with some idea what is going on...

 

[Red]

Oil pressure issue prolly. When did you have your oil changed?

 

[iamwiz82]

usually the oil light means oil pressure.

 

[GasX]

Yes, the light means a drop in oil pressure, but what are the likely causes?

oh, and the last oil change was about a month ago...

 

[Quixfire]

The engine oil light comes on when there is less than 5 lbs of pressure at the oil sender. It could be a bad sender or really low oil pressure. Have you mechanic do a mechanical oil pressure test before replacing the sender.

 

[StageLeft]

Given that your oil was high you have probably either a failing oil pressure sensor, or your oil pump is buggared. The former is no big deal. The later is potentially very serious, since you still drove like that.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

It is most likely a bad sending unit or poor connection, both are easy fixes.

Car type and mileage might get you a better answer.

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Yes, the light means a drop in oil pressure, but what are the likely causes?

oh, and the last oil change was about a month ago...

Give us more info on your car. In general, oil pressure sensor can go off when:

Not enough / too much oil (you already checked that)
Oil pressure sender
Pressure hoses
Oil pump

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: galvanizedyankee
It is most likely a bad sending unit or poor connection, both are easy fixes.

Car type and mileage might get you a better answer.

1998 Ford Contour SVT w/ ~55,000 miles.

Given this car's history, it is the sensor. Mechanically this car has been very sound, but the sensors drop like flies...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Yes, the light means a drop in oil pressure, but what are the likely causes?

oh, and the last oil change was about a month ago...

Causes:
worn main/rod bearings
worn crankshaft
worn camshaft bearings
Failing oil pump
leaking seal between the pump and the block
bad oil pressure sending unit
Low oil
fouled oil filter
fouled oil pump


There are many things that cause low oil pressure.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Yes, the light means a drop in oil pressure, but what are the likely causes?

oh, and the last oil change was about a month ago...

Causes:
worn main/rod bearings
worn crankshaft
worn camshaft bearings
Failing oil pump
leaking seal between the pump and the block
bad oil pressure sending unit
Low oil
fouled oil filter
fouled oil pump


There are many things that cause low oil pressure.

 

[iamwiz82]

To make you feel better, the two times I have expreienced have been easy fixes. One was the Sending Unit and the other was a bad filter (brand new :frown

 

[Shockwave]

My monies on sender. You dont make it far when the oil light is on.....

 

[GasX]

The mechanic said the sender is bad, but he said I should take it to the dealer to get it fixed because the piece is in a hard to reach place and as far as he call tell, you have to drop the engine to get to it.

Does that make sense?

 

[Red]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
The mechanic said the sender is bad, but he said I should take it to the dealer to get it fixed because the piece is in a hard to reach place and as far as he call tell, you have to drop the engine to get to it.

Does that make sense?

So basically he said "I don't know how to do it."

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
The mechanic said the sender is bad, but he said I should take it to the dealer to get it fixed because the piece is in a hard to reach place and as far as he call tell, you have to drop the engine to get to it.

Does that make sense?

No, the 2.0L engine is very simple to get to you could do it yourself. The 2.5L is a bit more trouble to access but doesn't need anything moved to reach it either. If you mechanic diagnosed it correctly he should have replace the sender after doing an oil pressure test. If he is just guessing at the cause of the problem, I suggest finding a new mechanic.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Mwilding
The mechanic said the sender is bad, but he said I should take it to the dealer to get it fixed because the piece is in a hard to reach place and as far as he call tell, you have to drop the engine to get to it.

Does that make sense?

No, the 2.0L engine is very simple to get to you could do it yourself. The 2.5L is a bit more trouble to access but doesn't need anything moved to reach it either. If you mechanic diagnosed it correctly he should have replace the sender after doing an oil pressure test. If he is just guessing at the cause of the problem, I suggest finding a new mechanic.

I think it is new mechanic time...