Oil Pressure Warning Light

[bethfewster]

Hello,

My oil pressure warning light came on today, just sat at idle. I checked oil level and it was too low, so I hoped that was the problem and topped it up. However the light still wont go out...is it normal to stay on for a bit after topping up of oil, or should it have gone out virtually straightaway if all was fine?

I know changing the oil pressure switch is sometimes recommended, and I intend to purchase an oil pressure gauge when I can.

What else should I be checking? Thanks in advance.

[aupickup]

could be the oil filter needs changing

[MarkyB]

Wasn't the engine making rather a lot of noise before the oil light came on?
It should have gone out virtually straightaway, is it knocking now?

[bethfewster]

It's not overly noisy and it's definitely not knocking.

I will buy myself an oil filter and pressure switch and hope that they make a difference.

[bmcecosse]

Is the light on ALL the time - or just at idle? When you say the oil was 'low' - just HOW low?? The problem is that the pressure switch operates at 5/10 psi - and that's too low a pressure to prevent damage to the engine.... If it has been run with very low oil pressure, but just above the pressure that would trip the light, then the bearings may be damaged.

[mike.perry]

Whilst you are at it, fit a temp gauge as well and to save space fit an oil pressure/water temp dual gauge

[bethfewster]

The oil was lower than minimum but not empty. When you say she's been run....she hasnt really. She's been a project to get back on the road, she has driven me to town and back once, approximately 8 miles, and we had no problems and the light hadnt come on. I then started her up the other day ready to change the battery to negative earth because she isnt charging and a few minutes after i started her the oil pressure light came on.

That was when I realised the oil level had dropped a fair amount since i had last checked before our little run out. I havent moved her an inch since that light came on as I do not want to cause any damage.

I have yet to fit a new filter, switch and gauges etc...

[minor65]

How long was it off the road? When was the oil last changed? If a few years then it would be worth dropping the sump to clean the oil strainer and sump. And of course new filter and oil. If oil strainer blocked then low oil pressure.

[bmcecosse]

So - was this after the change to -ve earth??? Are you SURE it's the oil pressure light now showing....OR perhaps it's the Ign warning light - indicating no charge after the polarity change ! Take the wire off the oil pressure switch....is the 'oil light' still on now ???

[kennatt]

dosen't look as though he has actually chamged polarity yet,I take it that the light goes out when you rev it.

[mike.perry]

ready to change the battery to negative earth because she isnt charging

The polarity of the battery will not make any difference to the charging

That was when I realised the oil level had dropped a fair amount since i had last checked before our little run out. I havent moved her an inch since that light came on as I do not want to cause any damage.

If the oil level has dropped noticeably in eight miles then you must be leaving an oil slick on the road or sending out clouds of smoke from the exhaust.


I have yet to fit a new filter, switch and gauges etc...