Oil pressure light on at idle to hot

For normal operation of the engine at low and high speeds, a certain level of oil pressure must be maintained. For each model, this value is indicated in the instructions. For example, for Lada Priora, the pressure should be:

• on a warm engine at idle - 2 bar (196 kPa);
• 5400 rpm - 4,5-6,5 bar.

The average value is, as a rule, 2 bar at idle and 4-6 bar at high speeds and for other small cars.

It is worth noting that on most modern budget cars there is no oil pressure gauge on the instrument panel, but only a signal button that lights up if the pressure drops. Dealing with the causes of this phenomenon is not always easy, but it can indicate both a serious breakdown and a banal lack of lubrication.

What are the main possible reasons that the pressure light comes on when the engine is warm at idle?

Why is the oil pressure light on?

The most common problem is low oil level in the engine tray. We have already talked on Vodi.su about how to use the probe:

• unscrew the oil filler neck;
• insert a probe into it;
• look at the level - it should be between the Min and Max marks.

Top up with manufacturer's recommended oil if necessary. The volume is determined according to the requirements of the car manufacturer, which are indicated in the instructions.

Sometimes it happens that the car is on an uneven surface, and the oil level is slightly lower than required. In this case, try to move to a flat area and measure the level.

And of course, take regular measurements. If you are serviced in a service station, then auto mechanics carry out this operation and add oil to the desired level. In addition, they find all sorts of reasons for the leak.

The second common reason is that you have poor quality oil filter. A normal filter holds a certain amount of oil, even after you have turned off the engine. This is necessary to prevent engine oil starvation, which can lead to very sad consequences:

• rapid wear of the cylinder walls and pistons;
• wear of piston rings;
• overheating of the engine;
• increased fuel consumption.

Accordingly, buy high-quality filters, change them in time - we also wrote on Vodi.su how to do this. No need to buy cheap components, because subsequent repairs will cost you a pretty penny.

Oil pump pressure reducing valve. This small but very important part performs an important function - it does not allow the oil pressure to drop or rise. With increased pressure, a number of problems also arise that affect the performance of the motor, namely, the breakdown of key components.

The most common problem is a broken valve spring. It may stretch or break. If this happens, it is necessary to completely change the valve itself. Also, over time, the valve clearance becomes clogged. This leads to the fact that when peak speed is reached, the pressure increases sharply.

To prevent this from happening, you need to follow simple rules:

• when checking the level, pay attention to the presence of foreign particles in the oil - ideally it should be transparent;
• flush the engine before changing the oil;
• change filters.

Faulty oil pressure sensor. The sensor is connected directly to the light on the instrument panel. If it fails or the wiring is faulty, the bulb will not react in any way to pressure changes in the system. The driver will not even be able to guess that something is wrong with the engine. As a result, a major overhaul with huge costs.

The device of the mechanical sensor is very simple - inside there is a sensitive membrane that reacts to pressure. If it rises or falls, the membrane is set in motion and the bulb lights up.

Electrical sensors include:

• slider;
• a small plate with wound wire;
• membrane.

When the pressure changes, the resistance of the sensor changes, and the lamp lights up accordingly. You can check the health of the sensor using a multimeter and a pump with a pressure gauge. Entrust this work to specialists if you notice any problems.

The metal mesh of the oil pump is clogged. The main reason is contaminated or low-quality oil. The mesh protects the inside of the pump and motor from contact with large particles. It is quite difficult to determine this particular reason for the light bulb to light up - you need to remove the oil pan and assess the condition of the oil. If it is very dirty, then there will be a lot of dirt in the pan.

Oil pump. This unit can also fail. There are many types of this pump: gear, vacuum, rotary. If the pump itself or some part of it breaks down, the required pressure level will no longer be maintained in the system. Accordingly, the light will be on and signal this failure.

Of course, you can find other reasons why the idle light is on:

• leaks;
• compression loss due to gradual wear of pistons and cylinder walls;
• the bulb itself is faulty;
• faulty wiring.

In any case, it is necessary to go for diagnostics, since delaying the problem can lead to the most unpredictable consequences, especially when traveling somewhere outside the city. You will have to call a tow truck and incur huge expenses.

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