Oil Pressure Diagnosis & Testing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire and 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- With the vehicle on a level surface, allow an adequate drain down time of 10 minutes and measure for a low oil level.
- Add the recommended grade engine oil and fill the crankcase until the oil level measures full on the oil level indicator.
- Run the engine and verify low or no oil pressure on the vehicle gage or light. Listen for a noisy valve train or a knocking noise.
- Inspect for the following:
- Oil diluted by moisture or unburned fuel mixtures.
- Improper oil viscosity for the expected temperature.
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure sender.
- Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure gage.
- Plugged oil filter.
- Malfunctioning oil bypass valve.
- Remove the oil pressure sender.
- Install a oil pressure gage and measure the engine oil pressure.
- Compare the readings to specifications. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications .
- If the engine oil pressure is below specifications, inspect the engine for one or more of the following:
- Oil pump worn or dirty. Refer to OIL PUMP .
- Oil pump-to-engine block bolts loose. Refer to OIL PUMP .
- Oil pump screen loose, plugged, or damaged.
- Malfunctioning oil pump pressure regulator valve.
- Excessive bearing clearance. Refer to CRANKSHAFT & BEARINGS .
- Cracked, porous or restricted oil galleries
- Oil gallery plugs missing or incorrectly installed. Refer to ENGINE BLOCK PLUG INSTALLATION .
- Broken valve lifters.