low oil pressure
#1
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low oil pressure
We have experienced low oil pressure (5-10psi) at idle after warming up and 10-20psi at 2500rpm. At 3500 rpm we are up to normal -- 30psi or above. Engine has 100K miles on it and otherwise normal -- 1 qt oil consumed in 7k miles. Suspect 1) worn bearings, 2) leaking oil pressure relief valve, 3) defective gauge (our hope!). Has anybody experienced similar problems?
#3
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1 quart in 7000 miles??? that's REALLLLY low!! Your car should be consuming a quart aobut every 700-1000 miles. Suspect your oil metering pump, or that pellet thing i cant think of the name. Anyway suspect something bad, it should be eating more oil AND have a higher pressure.
#4
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
1) failed o-ring under front cover, very common on 86-88 models
2) failed oil thermo bypass pellet
3) failed sending unit/gauge (the fact that it moves around and gives a semi-accurate response to throttle means this is unlikely to me)
Rotary bearings do not normally wear out until well over 200k, if maintenance has been done.
Oh, the 1at/7k miles is pretty low. It is normally 1qt per 2000 miles or so.
NOrmal oil pressure, for a really tight engine, is 60 at startup, 30 at idle, and 50+ at cruise.
2) failed oil thermo bypass pellet
3) failed sending unit/gauge (the fact that it moves around and gives a semi-accurate response to throttle means this is unlikely to me)
Rotary bearings do not normally wear out until well over 200k, if maintenance has been done.
Oh, the 1at/7k miles is pretty low. It is normally 1qt per 2000 miles or so.
NOrmal oil pressure, for a really tight engine, is 60 at startup, 30 at idle, and 50+ at cruise.
#6
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Did it happen all of the sudden? If so, I'd just go straight ahead and take the front cover off. There's a very good chance that it's the little o-ring in there. Don't worry, it only costs 1.90 at the dealer (don't ask how I know that...)
Good luck!,
Manolis
Good luck!,
Manolis
#7
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Originally posted by von
my 89GXL has 30 at cruise 50 or so at cold start and just under 30 at idle. This is normal for me I believe.
my 89GXL has 30 at cruise 50 or so at cold start and just under 30 at idle. This is normal for me I believe.
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#13
HAILERS
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Like they said, about sixty when scootering down the road at sixty or seventy. Zero at idle makes one think of the 0'ring in the front cover, maybe the thermopeller in the front of the eccentric shaft.
I think its a BIG mistake to pull the front cover off until you determine if the oil pressure is really low. The factory gauge does not count. Get a MECHANICAL gauge like a SunPro from the PEPBOYS or Autozone and install it temporarily. THEN decide if its really low.
NOTE: See how the factory manual uses a mechanical gauge to determine the oil pressure. They must know something about the factory electrical gauge. Not a joke.Not humor.
P.S. Send me your oil sending unit and I can make it read whatever you want it to read.
EDIT: See the factory manual in the electrical section for a method of checking your dash oil gauge for accuracy.
I think its a BIG mistake to pull the front cover off until you determine if the oil pressure is really low. The factory gauge does not count. Get a MECHANICAL gauge like a SunPro from the PEPBOYS or Autozone and install it temporarily. THEN decide if its really low.
NOTE: See how the factory manual uses a mechanical gauge to determine the oil pressure. They must know something about the factory electrical gauge. Not a joke.Not humor.
P.S. Send me your oil sending unit and I can make it read whatever you want it to read.
EDIT: See the factory manual in the electrical section for a method of checking your dash oil gauge for accuracy.
#14
Haven't we ALL heard this
"I think its a BIG mistake to pull the front cover off until you determine if the oil pressure is really low. The factory gauge does not count. Get a MECHANICAL gauge like a SunPro from the PEPBOYS or Autozone and install it temporarily. THEN decide if its really low.
That should have been the first post to this question! What gauge are you using to determine the pressure is low?
James
That should have been the first post to this question! What gauge are you using to determine the pressure is low?
James
#16
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Originally posted by Manolis_D
Did it happen all of the sudden? If so, I'd just go straight ahead and take the front cover off. There's a very good chance that it's the little o-ring in there. Don't worry, it only costs 1.90 at the dealer (don't ask how I know that...)
Good luck!,
Manolis
Did it happen all of the sudden? If so, I'd just go straight ahead and take the front cover off. There's a very good chance that it's the little o-ring in there. Don't worry, it only costs 1.90 at the dealer (don't ask how I know that...)
Good luck!,
Manolis
Trace down the problem before you start pulling things
#18
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A bit of a hassle, if you ask me. There's the deal that can become a big deal, with removal of the 19mm bolt(WRENCH SIZE) that holds the eccentric shaft pulley on. Should have been installed with locktite and sealant, plus a good amount of torque. You have to restrain the eccentric shaft from rotating while you try to bust that bolt loose. Then you have to be careful not to dislodge some bearings (darn, forgot what those needle bearings are called{thrust bearings}.
And you have to remove the water pump, oil metering pump lines blah, blah.
And then you find everything is just hunky dory when you get it off.
By the way. Follow MAZDATRIX advice and don't use the cover gasket when reinstalling. Just use RTV. But don't accidently block the oil metering pump feed hole on the middle left side of the cover.
That said, I have had a bad 0'ring under the cover. It was on the first 13B I'd done and was confused about what was going on. Seems MAZDA gasket kit did not have the correct front cover gasket and I was trying to use one that will not ever work since it was meant for a later housing, not mine. See MAZDATRIX, FAQ
And you have to remove the water pump, oil metering pump lines blah, blah.
And then you find everything is just hunky dory when you get it off.
By the way. Follow MAZDATRIX advice and don't use the cover gasket when reinstalling. Just use RTV. But don't accidently block the oil metering pump feed hole on the middle left side of the cover.
That said, I have had a bad 0'ring under the cover. It was on the first 13B I'd done and was confused about what was going on. Seems MAZDA gasket kit did not have the correct front cover gasket and I was trying to use one that will not ever work since it was meant for a later housing, not mine. See MAZDATRIX, FAQ
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