Oil light at idle

[novtechere]

So after I drive my car for about 30 minutes or so when its hot outside, if i stop at a stop sign my cars oil light just barely comes on, if i turn my ac on or turn the wheel it'll come on really bright. occasionally if i let it sit at idle too long the light will blink at me. Some people say its the oil pressure sending unit. others say it could be the oil pump. But it only does it when its hot. My car idles at about 700 (i know that's kinda low), if i turn the AC on its gotten as low as 350-400 and almost shut off on me. I raised the idle yesterday to 1100, but its been cool outside so i haven't been able to test it that well. I'm wondering if i switch to 10w-30 oil instead of 5w-30 if it'll help. I guess im just looking for suggestions. I'm going to get an oil change Monday. **I also have an oil leak on the right side of the motor when looking directly at the engine bay... I think it may be valve cover gasket, because it seems to migrate around the back of the motor. sorry for the huge writeup! thanks in advance for suggestions!

[dj_ender]

Sounds like a low oil level. If this is the area you speak of, then it's either your valve cover gasket, or your cam seal.

[novtechere]

not sure what area that is ender, cant tell that close. ill get a picture of it today and post it later tonight, I just had the head replaced so it shouldn't be a cam seal. im hoping its valve cover gasket, much cheaper right?

[dj_ender]

That is behind the valve cover, on the timing side, right below the number 1 runner on the intake manifold. And actually, the cam seal is cheaper.

[novtechere]

Hmm, ill post some pictures on the thread later tonight and show you guys where im leaking. that looks like it may be my spot. we will see!

[novtechere]

timing belt cover bolts? (i think)



Timing belt cover bolts? (i think) again



I believe this is where your picture was taken too.



this is directly left of where the block says f22 with the hole above it. (you can see the hole all the way right and 3/4 down the pic) (also i know the sensor is unplugged, did it for the pic)

[dj_ender]

WOW You have a few leaks, my friend. Looks like your cam seal, valve cover gasket, and your distributor o ring is leaking.

[Sordz]

I'm wondering if i switch to 10w-30 oil instead of 5w-30 if it'll help.

This wont do anything because there both 30 weight oil and exactly the same at operating temp. You could try 10w40, that is alittle thicker and should give you a small increase in oil pressure at idle.

[oyajicool]

Pour in a bottle of STP and call it a day.

Start saving money for engine rebuild, another engine or another car.

External leak like that in photos have nothing to do with oil pressure issue you have unless you let it leak so low. If the oil level is lower than oil pick up point, the light will be on all the time, regardless of RPM or TEMP.

[novtechere]

WOW You have a few leaks, my friend. Looks like your cam seal, valve cover gasket, and your distributor o ring is leaking.

My distributor went out 2 weeks ago and we got it replaced by a great mechanic. I just haven't had time to clean the aftermath up. So I think that part has been taken care of. As far as the rest. Idk. Ill have to try some additive and a thicker oil and see if it helps.

[wed3k]

does it knock at all when you come off idle?

[illinois_erik]

first id use degreaser and get that engine bay cleaned up as much as you can, then you can visually see the fresh leaks. then hit them seals up. Or in the meantime get your oil changed but substitute a quart of lucas oil stabilizer for a quart of oil. thatll buy you some time and keep the oil in the engine. After that if you still have issues then next would to be to hook up a pressure gauge somewhere off the oil supply and verify you have proper pressure. you may have a bad sending unit, you may have a failing pump or there may be a buncha sludge starting to clog the oil pickup. if someone has one of those bore scopes when the oil drain plugs out would be a perfect time to look, or drop the pan and clean it if needed.... and so on and so forth

[SOHC-FTW]

I second hooking up an oil pressure gauge, i lost a b1 due to a bad oil pump. I bought a gauge left the store went to walmart an 8th mile down the road she locked up.