racechaplain

Hey everyone!
I haven't been on here much writing but thought I would take a moment to tell you about our 95' Accord "infamous" flashing oil lamp. Initially, I did the usual scenario which was to check the oil level and after reading on this forum, decided to go the local parts store to buy a oil pressure sending unit. (located above the oil filter on rear of the motor)
This lasted only a day and the lamp began to flash intermittently over the last 6 months or so. I tried running thicker oil and a different oil filter as well at one point using straight 30 weight oil, thinking that maybe there was indeed a pressure related issue int he lower end of the motor.
The ultimate culprit of my scenario turned out to be a radiator! I noticed that the coolant was low one day and after topping off the system, the oil lamp quit blinking. Again, several weeks went by with the lamp coming on only at intersections and then all of a sudden, it begabn steadily flashing as I drove the car. YIKES! I then installed a Factory OEM Honda oil pressure sending unit, (Two 0 three times the price of the ones found at your local parts stores but well worth it!) I also installed a new temperature sending unit (found directly below the distributor on the head) and a new thermo sending unit on the front water housing that looks like a thermostat housing but isn't. (Scratched my head for a second after inspecting that one! LOL) I also installed a brand new heavy duty thermostat, gasket, and a brand new radiator. After replacing the radiator, I immediately realized that the coolant was starting to flow up and down with the increase of rpm's etc. (Our old radiator did not do this but rather stayed a t a constant level etc. )
The car's symptoms before also required the car to be driven upwards of 5 miles before there would be any heat blowing out of the vents. Now it is almost blowing hot within a mile from a cold start.
My suggestion to others is to check the radiator for flow before sinking money into a different motor or water pump job etc. because this saved me hundreds in labor cost for diagnosing what in reality was an overheating motor that would get the oil so hot that the oil lamp would flicker and blink. I hope this helps someone int he future and take no responsibility for the advice given and will not be legally held liable for anyone's problems so just take it for what it is and understand that this was my issue.

racechaplain

19Accord97

The flashing oil light is very common and is caused by the oil pressure sending unit. I've replaced mine 4 times.

It shouldn't have had anything to do with the cooling system.

You should only use OEM Honda thermostats as the ones from aftermarket companies are generally off. Your explanation of the coolant temperature going up and down is an obvious sign of air in the system. Did you bleed it properly after replacing the radiator? Air pockets will cause hot spots and can blow a headgasket so you need to get that fixed asap.

racechaplain

Yes, I bleed the coolant system. This indeed was the issue with our car. The radiator was plugged up and now is cooling the motor properly so that the oil viscosity doesn't thin out. It could have been a combination of the oil sending unit as well but after replacing it twice, I had to look at other issues. DO NOT trust that it is just a sending unit because as was my case, I had to look further...sheez..."bleeding the coolant system"...I'm not an amateur.
Like I said, take the post for what it's worth but our car has not had ANY issues since I performed this work. Thanks!