Oil pressure problem
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Oil pressure problem
Ok so my engine was rebuilt recently. I have an issue with low oil pressure. It only gives me low pressure after warm up 210° or so and on level ground. Let me elaborate. When the front end is elevated (as in on my driveway 8%grade) the idiot light will not turn on. I have had a gauge on it and it drops to 7PSI. At one point I noticed that the oil pressure would only drop when rpms dropped below 680 but when it is on my driveway the rpms drop but not the pressure. Weird , right? So, help me out. I figure that what ever is causing low pressure is being covered up by the oil when on my drive way. I have already taken out and cleaned throttle and IACV. ANY IDEAS???????
NOTE::::This engine has already had three rebuilt heads and two new Oil pumps.
NOTE::::This engine has already had three rebuilt heads and two new Oil pumps.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 
Re: Oil pressure problem
Oil is at the full mark? Remove a quart or so of oil (maybe 1.5) and see if the pressure then is low enough to turn on the warning light at hot idle. It shouldn't be if there is no suction leak.
Possible sump pickup tube suction leak, maybe bad tube gasket (reused too many times) or cracked pickup tube
Stuck relief valve
Shop didn't actually plastigauge any of the bearings during the build, excessive oil clearance(s)
Pressurize the oil galleries with the pan off and look for a gusher that would indicate hydraulic loss
Possible sump pickup tube suction leak, maybe bad tube gasket (reused too many times) or cracked pickup tube
Stuck relief valve
Shop didn't actually plastigauge any of the bearings during the build, excessive oil clearance(s)
Pressurize the oil galleries with the pan off and look for a gusher that would indicate hydraulic loss
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: Oil pressure problem
Yes, oil is full. New gaskket on pick up tube. I thought it was bearing clearance from beginning but that would mean that I would get low pressure all the time wouldn't it? The idiot light doesnt come on all the time and never when front end is higher than back end.
Will try thkse things see what happens.
I have seen how to raise pressure on you tube but I want to find the cause and fix it, though.
Will try thkse things see what happens.
I have seen how to raise pressure on you tube but I want to find the cause and fix it, though.
Registered!!
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 15
Rep Power: 119 Re: Oil pressure problem
Wonder if one or two front drains in the head might still have service plugs in them or otherwise clogged.
When lifted up, more oil would be able to use the two rear drain holes.
Test for it, park it backwards so the front end is pointing down, start it up, open up the oil cap and see if the entire head is filling up with oil... caution might get messy in a hurry.
When lifted up, more oil would be able to use the two rear drain holes.
Test for it, park it backwards so the front end is pointing down, start it up, open up the oil cap and see if the entire head is filling up with oil... caution might get messy in a hurry.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: Oil pressure problem
I thought it was bearing clearance from beginning but that would mean that I would get low pressure all the time wouldn't it?
You'll have decent pressure as long as the pump can move more fluid than there is leakage, and as long as the fluid is thick enough to give sufficient resistance. As those variables change, pressure changes accordingly.
Pressure decreases after the oil heats up and gets less viscous, that's normal.
and never when front end is higher than back end
Put the gauge on it again and take pressure readings with the car in various positions?
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: Oil pressure problem
Ok so I did not try my car at a downward angle because it did turn the idiot light on at an upward angle now. So scratch that angle off list. The only other cause would be the clearances. Like I told the owner from the beginning.
Anyways, I just tried some Lucas oil stabalizer and that stuff works. The idiot light did not turn on after an hour long test drive.
Now I have to see if owner will stiilll accept responsibility. If he does hopefully he gets someone else to work on it. Someone that can use a Mic and knows how to set correct timing.
Anyways, I just tried some Lucas oil stabalizer and that stuff works. The idiot light did not turn on after an hour long test drive.
Now I have to see if owner will stiilll accept responsibility. If he does hopefully he gets someone else to work on it. Someone that can use a Mic and knows how to set correct timing.
Re: Oil pressure problem
Ok so I did not try my car at a downward angle because it did turn the idiot light on at an upward angle now. So scratch that angle off list. The only other cause would be the clearances. Like I told the owner from the beginning.
Anyways, I just tried some Lucas oil stabalizer and that stuff works. The idiot light did not turn on after an hour long test drive.
Now I have to see if owner will stiilll accept responsibility. If he does hopefully he gets someone else to work on it. Someone that can use a Mic and knows how to set correct timing.
Anyways, I just tried some Lucas oil stabalizer and that stuff works. The idiot light did not turn on after an hour long test drive.
Now I have to see if owner will stiilll accept responsibility. If he does hopefully he gets someone else to work on it. Someone that can use a Mic and knows how to set correct timing.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: Oil pressure problem
I didn' t do the rods. Didn't want to get so deep. Y'all think these two are enough to cause the low oil pressure??? I hear a small tick but that might be the valve lash (set to 8 and 10)
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: Oil pressure problem
Sorry I forgot about this.
Looks like it's at the wide end of the spec range. Not ideal.
I'd say to check the rods.
Too many of these with clearances of 'almost too much' can add up to a total amount (I learned it as "stacking tolerances") that's just more than it should have, more than the pump can keep up with. You end up with low pressure.
Looks like it's at the wide end of the spec range. Not ideal.
I'd say to check the rods.
Too many of these with clearances of 'almost too much' can add up to a total amount (I learned it as "stacking tolerances") that's just more than it should have, more than the pump can keep up with. You end up with low pressure.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: Oil pressure problem
Yeah, that is what I thought according to the specs I found. I took the car back and the owner has promised to fix it. So, I will let yall know how things turn out. Thanks for ideas and advise.
Re: Oil pressure problem
Sorry I forgot about this.
Looks like it's at the wide end of the spec range. Not ideal.
I'd say to check the rods.
Too many of these with clearances of 'almost too much' can add up to a total amount (I learned it as "stacking tolerances") that's just more than it should have, more than the pump can keep up with. You end up with low pressure.
Looks like it's at the wide end of the spec range. Not ideal.
I'd say to check the rods.
Too many of these with clearances of 'almost too much' can add up to a total amount (I learned it as "stacking tolerances") that's just more than it should have, more than the pump can keep up with. You end up with low pressure.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
juanjo_52
Fuel, Oil, Cleaners & Other Maintenance
1
Apr 10, 2015 03:00 PM
Obamargarine
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
2
Nov 20, 2009 09:42 AM
