Oil Pressure Diagnosis And Testing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- With vehicle on a level surface, allow adequate drain down time (2-3 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 gauge or lamp.
- 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 gauge
- Plugged oil filter
- Malfunctioning oil bypass valve
- Remove the oil pressure sender or another engine block oil gallery plug.
- Install a oil pressure gauge and measure the engine oil pressure.
- 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 (UNIT REPAIR) DISASSEMBLY - L61 .
- Oil pump-to-engine front cover bolts loose. Refer to OIL PUMP ASSEMBLE (UNIT REPAIR) .
- Oil pump screen loose, plugged, or damaged.
- Malfunctioning oil pump pressure regulator valve.
- Excessive bearing clearance. Refer to CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS CLEAN AND INSPECT (UNIT REPAIR) .
- Cracked, porous or restricted oil galleries.
- Oil gallery plugs missing or incorrectly installed. Refer to ENGINE BLOCK DISASSEMBLE (UNIT REPAIR) .
- Broken lash adjusters.