Intermittant Oil LIght

[bkgiii]

Well, the board's gone too long without a 'simple' question from me, so in typical style:

I've noticed as of late my Oil light will come on, stay lit until I make a sharp turn (cornering, merging, etc.) I did it prior to changing my oil about a week ago (yes, I was low), and now with 500 miles since an oil change, it's doing it again. Dipstick looks like I might be low..after only 500 miles. Proper amount of oil was added at last change, along with the TRD filter. What's up with that!

I see no oil leaks on the driveway....

Diagnosese?

 

[bkgiii]

Oh yeah....noticing NO smoke, either....

....and the filler cap IS on.....

...and the dipstick IS in....

Running Castrol, BTW....

 

[Scamper]

Do you see any signs of leakage around the filter itself? or on the underside of the engine?

When's the last time you checked/replaced your PCV valve?

 

[bkgiii]

No signs around the filter OR on the underside of the engine, best I can tell.....PCV valve was changed about 10K ago.....

 

[CruisinGA]

You're probably borderline, and when you corner, the oil "splashes" around and turns off the sensor. Just add some more. A little on the high side never hurt anyone.

I've added 3 quarts to mine since the last oil change... Some leekage, not too much...

 

[elmariachi]

You're probably borderline, and when you corner, the oil "splashes" around and turns off the sensor. Just add some more. A little on the high side never hurt anyone.

I've added 3 quarts to mine since the last oil change... Some leekage, not too much...

No leaks in the driveway??? You are burning it out the tailpipe. If the oil light is on, you are low on oil and low enough to be of concern. And just because there's no smoke doesn't mean its not burning oil. A 167K engine should use maybe a half to a quart every 5000 miles, based on my experience with these engines. Just my .02c.

Jim

 

[RavenTai]

Have you been checking the level with it cold? If so try checking it about 5 min after shutdown and see what it shows, there is a fairly noticeable difference on the 80. the latter is what is called out for in the owners manual.

 

[zipastro]

Easy..........
Its just another case of burned oil thru the pcv valve. Check the level again, the low oil sensors rarely lie.

 

[Beast II]

When does light come on

How low until the light comes on - ie. how many quarts down until it lights ?

 

[RavenTai]

somewhere between 1 and 2 quarts low for me

 

[bkgiii]

Mattorton: about 1 quart. seems like it doesn't happen until I've driven about 30 miles, if that's significant...

 

[NorCalDoug]

Doesn't the sensor in the cap go bad after a while? If so, that could be the thing. I don't recall if that makes the light go on or off...or stay on...

....hmmmmm.....now that I think about it, it might be the brake fluid cap sensor that does this...
if so, nevermind...

 

[Scamper]

Doesn't the sensor in the cap go bad after a while? If so, that could be the thing. I don't recall if that makes the light go on or off...or stay on...

....hmmmmm.....now that I think about it, it might be the brake fluid cap sensor that does this...
if so, nevermind...

I thin your thinin brake fluid cap...

 

[Beowulf]

Doesn't the sensor in the cap go bad after a while? If so, that could be the thing. I don't recall if that makes the light go on or off...or stay on...

....hmmmmm.....now that I think about it, it might be the brake fluid cap sensor that does this...
if so, nevermind...

Doug,
It's been a long week. Go home, open a cold brewsky and relax. Get a good night's sleep and come back in the morning after the cobwebs have cleared.



-B-

 

[landtank]

I've never seen my light come on and I do 5000 mile oil change intervals.

 

[tiorio]

What's the pressure gauge saying during all this?

 

[RavenTai]

What's the pressure gauge saying during all this?

the low oil level warning light comes on long before the level can effect oil pressure. or at least it should. I dont think there is a light for oil pressure.

 

[tiorio]

Wait, is that correct about the light? I thought the light went out as the engine started and oil pressure increased...but maybe that's only on my 930...

 

[bkgiii]

Tiorio....guage looks normal to me......top mark.

I did notice this afternoon that there looks to be so oil on the FRONT of the engine....lower than the valve cover gasket.....I'll keep watching it......this disturbs me..