Hi,

The oil light came on after it warmed up and was driven about 3 miles. It goes off at idle but if you give it any throttle it comes on again. After sitting awhile it could be driven about 3 miles before it comes on as before. I did that three or four times and got it home, driving only when the light was off.

Removed the oil filter and oil, started to remove the pan to check for sludge and found it was harder than I expected so took a scrape sample from the bottom of the pan and found it clean. New oil, new filter, put a mechanical gauge in the sender unit hole and at cold idle (maybe 1200 rpm) it read 80 psi! It may even have been higher but that's as high as the gauge goes!

I would love to hear some ideas. I think I'll have to inspect the oil pump, but maybe someone else here has had that problem and can clue me in on what to expect or what's happening.

Thanks!

 

With engine fully warmed up, normal oil pressure at 3000 rpm is between 36-71 psi, minimum oil pressure at idle is 4.3 psi. Check both pressures after the oil is fully warmed up as it will drop a good deal as the oil thins out.

The oil pressure light will come on if pressure drops below minimum.

The oil pump has a spring relief valve on the oil pump housing, firewall side accessed from below the housing by removing the oil pan.

If you suspect oil sludge remove the the valve cover and inspect valve train.

If the oil pressure at idle is above the minimum check the sensor.

Sludge can cause oil circulation problems and low pressure.

If all OK above and still have high pressure the relief valve could be stuck but this would be very rare.