wulfpack99

Has anyone had any experience with their RX with low oil pressure? I had one of my techs. at work hook it up to an auxilary oil pressure gauge and I have idle oil pressure of about 10 psi. Normal I believe is around 30. Moderator Johnny suggested it was the factory gauge. Unfortunately it isn't. I'm afraid it the gauge but actual low oil pressure.

The local dealer recommends a new engine. Could it need a new oil pump? The reason I took it to a dealer is an extended warranty I purchased, and an engine would be covered. But dang, a new engine really hurts when trying to resale.

Any experience in this area or recommendations?

Any ideas are appreciated.....

jr

It's not the gauge, it's the sender that's prone to fail. Replace that before looking elsewhere.

P'cola FD

Replace the oil pressure sending unit, or just take it out and thoroughly clean it. Then see if your pressure is still low.

wulfpack99

would that still be the case if hooked up to an auxilary gauge? I'm just a car salesman and don't know where you would hook up the other gauge (same sending unit for dash gauge and auxilary gauge?).

Thanks!

jr

Yes, the gauge is just a way to display the information the sending unit is giving it. The stock gauge is fine, the sending unit to blame for the bad readings. If I were you I'd get the car out of the dealer and into a reputable rotary mechanic. I've never heard of an engine failure that was to blame on low oil pressure, and I've never heard of a condition that would warrant replacing an engine that causes low oil pressure. The dealer just wants to take your (or your warranty company's) money. Aside from the low pressure reading is your car exhibiting any other symptoms of a bad engine?

REDLINE

Besides, the oil pump is mechanical, linked directly to the motor.....

wulfpack99

it does puff a little blue smoke at start up. probably b/c I don't drive it every day (maybe not). I drive it most weekends or 3-4 days consecutive with 3-4 days in between (benefits of being a car dealer and having a demo I guess). has great boost and turbo activity. Does cut off sometimes if warm and rev. up engine to back up or pull up to stop light. Maybe a back pressure issue (maybe not, just initial diagnosis from dealer idea).

I guess fortunately I don't many bad engine symptoms. What are some other typicals??

Thanks-

jr

2 main causes for engine failure, Coolant O-Ring failure and Blown Apex Seal. O-Ring symptoms would be constant loss of coolant and white sweet smelling smoke that doesn't go away after startup. Apex seal symptoms would be more like a 4 cylinder running only on 3 cylinders, lumpy idle, poor performance, hard to start, etc. Sounds like your fine, the little blue smoke in the AM is probably oil in your turbos burning off, might be the very early signs of bad turbos, but nothing to worry about. If your concerned about the low pressure get the sender replaced, but in my opinion just get the car out of the dealer and enjoy it.

wulfpack99

well to be honest..... there is a little wiggle and some hesitation when starting 2 out of last 10 times. the wiggle is a little more apparent. the hesitation of starting is 2 out of 10 times (couple to three times to crank). the wiggle is when you are sitting in the drivers seat after cranking and it feels like a cylinder might be missing in a 4 banger (like you mentioned). from your info. it sounds more like an Apex seal problem i assume.

dang, i might as well just let them fix it and pay the 200 deductible.

what do you think jr? thanks for you help man-

P'cola FD

Get a compression test done. Anything below 7:1 warrants an engine rebuild.

jr

Have them run a compression check, that will tell you definitely the health of your apex seals. 9.0 all around is what it's supposed to be when brand new, 7.0 is the lowest allowed that's still in spec.

wulfpack99

thanks for the ideas fellas. i'm not too optamistic with the expected results right now though....

i guess i can only hope for the best.

Thanks again for the ideas!!

Johnny

Actually if I said gauge..that was a mistake...thought I said sender...pretty sure I said sender....

and for all those people that think below 7 warrants a rebuild...NOPE...mazda changed that to below 6... I guess they were replacing too many engines under warranty that way...

jr

Yeah we were just discussing this on the list a few weeks ago, the number was lowered to 6 by Mazda and most believe it was due to them receiving too many claims, but I think the consensus is if it's lower than 7, it's not too healthy.