Oil pressure light
My car had been running 15w40 (as put in by my mechanic) but it seemed like it was too thin as I was going through a fair amount of oil, it felt like it was running rough and I could always smell burnt metal when leaving it. I decided to follow the manual and put 20w50 in, but now it seems that once the car is up to running temp (about 10-15 min of driving) the oil preassure light starts coming on intermittently, followed by ticking from the engine (I mean the sound it makes when oil seems to be low, not lifters).
My mechanic has basically said because it happened straight after the oil change I should change the oil, but do I try a different 20w50 or go back to 15w40 and spend my weekends topping it up and inhaling metal??
Btw the oil I used was nulon... Don't know if anyone has had experience with this one but if you have feedback would be great.
Cheers.
Id get the oil pressure tested.They just fit a gauge to the engine and read the pressures.Its only cheap to get this test done. Seeing the engine is ticking,the noise could be either low oil pressure, or a stuck lifter etc.But seeing the oil light is coming on combined with the ticking noise,its most likely to be a problem with the oil pressure itself.Also the oil pump pickup in the sump can get dirty old oil and crud stuck around them which can also cause oil pressure problems,especially if the oil hasnt been serviced regularly.It could also be worth renewing the oil pressure sensor.A new oil pressure sensor costs $25 from holden.I replaced mine 2 weeks ago,mine still worked ok,it was just leaking oil.20w 50 oil is recommended for the ecotec engine in the manuals.I always use penrite 20w60.It stays a little bit thicker when its hot than the 20w50 stuff.
Last edited by Brett_jjj; 14-05-2010 at 05:48 PM.
operation HQ under way.
15w 40 is fine to run in an ecotech im runnig it in my vr. im running 15w40 diesel oil for the added detergants to cleen it out. i also get a oil burning smell but its from the tapper cover gaskets leaking.
20w50 is also fine, your car must have some issues.
it all depends what you want, a stuffed motor or the incovence of topping up the oil every now and than. best bet is either but its up to you
Had the oil changed back to 15w40, it was running well bt just before I got to work the oil light came on again. I couldn't really stop so I kept driving to work and by the time I got there it was ticking pretty bad! Clearly there is a problem. Hopefully it's not too serious and costly!
on holiday
if youve been smelling burnt metal most likely bearings shot hence the no oil pressure as well
I tune the oldschool way fear on the passengers face and knuckle colour cant go wrong
tabbacco is still my favorite vegetable
What would I be looking at cost wise to get a new oil pump??
My mechanic is telling me that to get into the sump to look at the pump and pickup, the engine needs to come out of the car... Is this true??
What would I be looking at cost wise to get a new oil pump??
My mechanic is telling me that to get into the sump to look at the pump and pickup, the engine needs to come out of the car... Is this true??
G'day nothing wrong with nulon been running it ( 20w50 ) in my 5lt for about 60k now ( now has 214k) and no dramas i add about 500ml between oil changes (10k)
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