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        General >> Problems >> Low oil pressure on first start
        
(Message started by: Beebop on Sep 14^th, 2006, 11:47pm)

Title: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by Beebop on Sep 14^th, 2006, 11:47pm

I am seeing the oil pressure light staying on for up to a minute on first starting the engine. The light behaves normally if you then stop the engine, wait and restart - even if the engine has been stopped for an hour or so. Only if the engine has been stopped for many hours does the light take a long time to extingish.

It's a 2.3 engine from 1997 with a bit over 150,000 miles. The engine is not markedly more clattery during this time.

Reving the engine doesn't seem to bring the oil light off any quicker.

Once the lamp is off it remains off - no flickering.

I found out today that, in the last service of 11 months ago (and 11,000 miles), 10/40 engine oil was put in - not 5/30. But surely this small difference in viscosity cannot explain this? Can it?

I know that there can be many potential causes but I wondered if this engine was prone to (a) particular type of failure(s).

Obviously I woud like to think it is only the pressure switch, but the behaviour doesn't seem likely to me to be caused by a bad switch (even one just getting a bit stiff).

Has anyone any experience of this sort of problem on the 2.3 engine (especially if seen on several cars).

Thanks,
Beebop.

Title: Re: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by jonnycab on Sep 15^th, 2006, 12:03am

I've not experienced this in my 2.3, but you say that it had 10/40 put in 11,000 miles ago.
The service interval is 10,000 miles so I would imagine after 11,000 miles the oil has lost alot of its viscosity.
Best to do an oil change now & put in 5/30 (I use Castrol GTX Magnatec 5/30 semi-synthetic), & then see if the light is still coming on. :)

Title: Re: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by twinturbo on Sep 15^th, 2006, 7:37am

Twincam's are not generaly know for oil preasure problems, they generaly outlast everything else.

Fresh oil & filter first.

Then try the switch.

If that fails to improve the situation, start looking for a spare engine, but no rush as it will go on for ages so long as you don't race it whilst the light is on.

Swapping the engine is a weekends work.

TT

Title: Re: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by Jim on Sep 16^th, 2006, 7:57pm

If wrong grade oil was put in its possible wrong filter was also put in. Correct filter has a non-return valve built in.

Title: Re: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by Beebop on Sep 16^th, 2006, 8:24pm

Thank you everyone for your remarks and advice.
Beebop

Title: Re: Low oil pressure on first start
Post by Dave on Sep 25^th, 2006, 12:47pm

Just for info, the same thing happened when my 24v was bought. The oil that was in that had been there for approx 12k. Oil and filter change cured it and has been fine in the 2 years since.

Oil+filter changes now performed at approx 3k intervals.