Oil Pressure Sensor/Sending unit

[brsteinbach]

Okay, a small back story. My old f22a1 "blew" on me, the oil rings went out so it just smoked like crazy constantly and I was also having an issue with my oil light coming on at idle. So I bought a new f22a1 and swapped it in, well everything has seemed fine until just recently. Now a couple nights ago my oil light came on when I was at a stop light so I pulled over after that checked my oil which was fine and I decided to just start it and limp home and keep an eye on the light. I made it home fine but when I would stop and idle the light would come on again.

So I've read a few threads saying it probably the oil pressure sensor or the oil pump. What I'm pissed and confused about is how is there such a coincidence that this sensor or pump could also go out??? I am going to change the sensor out and pray that, that is the problem but I wanted to ask if this really could be a coincidence and be the problem?

Thanks everyone!

[wildBill83]

Try checking oil pressure. If you have pressure the pump is good and the sensor is bad.

[oyajicool]

---- So I bought a new f22a1 and swapped it in,-------------

Is this used-but-new-to-you-engine or newly overhauled engine?

If it is overhauled engine, you should complain to the shop.

If it is an old used engine, well, ,,,,,,,replace oil pressure switch from NAPA, which had a lower pressure setting at 3 psi. Doing this does not fix anything of engine, internally. But, you can drive the car without annoying warning light.

You could switch to heavier oil than you currently using as well.

[dj_ender]

Ooooooor he could have a short in the connector lead to the pressure sensor. I only suggest this because the same behavior is exhibited in 2 different engines.

[brsteinbach]

Try checking oil pressure. If you have pressure the pump is good and the sensor is bad.

If the sensor doesn't fix it I'll buy a pump. Thanks man!

Is this used-but-new-to-you-engine or newly overhauled engine?

If it is overhauled engine, you should complain to the shop.

If it is an old used engine, well, ,,,,,,,replace oil pressure switch from NAPA, which had a lower pressure setting at 3 psi. Doing this does not fix anything of engine, internally. But, you can drive the car without annoying warning light.

You could switch to heavier oil than you currently using as well.

It is a used one, sorry I should have put that. It's used but "new" to me. Do you know which switch it is from napa? I have a screen shot from their site for ya.

Thanks for the help man

Ooooooor he could have a short in the connector lead to the pressure sensor. I only suggest this because the same behavior is exhibited in 2 different engines.

I also thought there may be a short or a cut wire in the old dry harness since it did this on the old engine.

[oyajicool]

It's this one. Looks like the second one from top of your screen shot.

==============================================

Many member/people think "oil pump" first when they see low oil pressure. But, oil pump alone cannot build good pressure. All of bearing surfaces also must be in good condition with good clearance in order to build good pressure.

Oil pump is just cheaper option to change compare to doing the whole engine.

===============================================

One other option is to raise regulating pressure by shimming up the spring inside the pump. I have not done this to automobile engine. But, if needed, I do this to other types of engines with oil pressure regulator accessible from out side.

[brsteinbach]

It's this one. Looks like the second one from top of your screen shot.

==============================================

Many member/people think "oil pump" first when they see low oil pressure. But, oil pump alone cannot build good pressure. All of bearing surfaces also must be in good condition with good clearance in order to build good pressure.

Oil pump I just cheaper option to change compare to doing the whole engine.

===============================================

One other option is to raise regulating pressure by shimming up the spring inside the pump. I have not done this to automobile engine. But, if needed, I do this to other types of engines with oil pressure regulator accessible from out side.

Thanks for all the help man, it definitely is the second one it even says in the specs 3 - 7 psi. I hope it's nothing major!

[brsteinbach]

Well guy's, I used a duralast one and the light came on again and I read that there have been guy's with problems with the duralast ones so I bought the Echlin and it is still coming on.

Also if the light comes on for more than a second then and throttle I give it after it stays solid makes it flash.

I don't know what to do guy's. I'm about to give up.

[wildBill83]

Try checking oil pressure. If you have pressure the pump is good and the sensor is bad.

^^^
Rent an oil pressure tester from AutoZone and put it in the oil pressure sensor location and test your pressure.

[Sordz]

What weight oil do you use?

It would be a bandaid fix but you could use some 20w50 oil and that should give you enough oil pressure to keep the light off. I would only use that in summer though.

*** I also agree to rent or buy a oil pressure gauge so you know for sure.

[brsteinbach]

Rent an oil pressure tester from AutoZone and put it in the oil pressure sensor location and test your pressure.

I'll do that next. Thanks man.

What weight oil do you use?

It would be a bandaid fix but you could use some 20w50 oil and that should give you enough oil pressure to keep the light off. I would only use that in summer though.

*** I also agree to rent or buy a oil pressure gauge so you know for sure.

I use 10w30 usually. I'll see about the 20w50 but I'm not sure if I'll go that route. Thanks for replying though.

[oyajicool]

With Napa's new oil pressure switch installed, the warning light is coming on.
I don't see much point in hooking up a pressure gauge to monitor oil pressure. But, you could try that.

You could use a bottle of STP oil treatment or similar stuff, trying to bump up viscosity. See if that help you buy some time on the engine.

You could, also, cut the oil filter open. Or, drop the oil pan. See if there are debris/metal flakes. If you see flakes, you know the engine is shot.

[brsteinbach]

With Napa's new oil pressure switch installed, the warning light is coming on.
I don't see much point in hooking up a pressure gauge to monitor oil pressure. But, you could try that.

You could use a bottle of STP oil treatment or similar stuff, trying to bump up viscosity. See if that help you buy some time on the engine.

You could, also, cut the oil filter open. Or, drop the oil pan. See if there are debris/metal flakes. If you see flakes, you know the engine is shot.

Okay I'll try that man. I'll drop the pan in a day or two. I also was wondering if that pos fram filter may be some small problem too? I also am using that napa pressure switch you suggested.

I'll get some STP or something and see if that helps.

I sure as hell hope I don't see flakes in the pan cause that will kill me!

But thank you for all the help man! I'll update this thread soon!

[brsteinbach]

Well I'm going to buy some 20w50 and a new filter and see it that helps. I'll cut the old filter open after i change it to see if there is any metal in there cause I just don't have the money to drop the pan and buy a new gasket.

I also have a small neo magnet on my drain plug so I'll see if that has any shavings on it but I doubt it cause its only 1/4" magnet lol.

[brsteinbach]

Alright everybody who has helped. I did an oil change with 20w50 to hopefully let me be able to get around for a while. There was some metal shavings, like really thin/fine gooey metal but that's it. I'll post the pics below for you guy's. Ugh why does this have to happen!!!!

My grandpa brought it to me sense he live in the capital city and is 20 minutes away from me but I showed him the paper towel and the drain plug and he said it may be from down shifting. I do do it sometimes cause I'm trying to save my brakes but I don't really beat on my car. I actually drive it like a grandma and only once in a while (once a week at the most) when I want to have fun I take it to red line. My grandpa is highly knowledgeable with cars and also told me to try like a STP or Lucas oil treatment to bump up the viscosity.

Sorry for the long rant but here are the pics guys...


DSCF1844 by brsteinbach, on Flickr


DSCF1846 by brsteinbach, on Flickr


DSCF1847 by brsteinbach, on Flickr
^after I wiped it off (just showing the magnet I put in the plug).


DSCF1849 by brsteinbach, on Flickr


DSCF1848 by brsteinbach, on Flickr