Oil light on during idle after warmup
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD, USA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oil light on during idle after warmup
Hi,
92 Accord, 323k miles. Oil light comes on after the engine is warmed up, but only at idle.
It usually only comes on after being on the highway for awhile and then coming to a stoplight.
I just replicated the behavior by getting the engine completly warmed up, then revving to 5k rpms for 30 seconds. Oil light then comes on at idle, goes off as soon as you raise the rpms above 1100 or so.
I adjusted the idle up a bit, because it seemed to want to stall in these situations.
Oil level is fine.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks,
Scott
92 Accord, 323k miles. Oil light comes on after the engine is warmed up, but only at idle.
It usually only comes on after being on the highway for awhile and then coming to a stoplight.
I just replicated the behavior by getting the engine completly warmed up, then revving to 5k rpms for 30 seconds. Oil light then comes on at idle, goes off as soon as you raise the rpms above 1100 or so.
I adjusted the idle up a bit, because it seemed to want to stall in these situations.
Oil level is fine.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks,
Scott
#2
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
sounds like a worn out oil pump. clearances are too big inside to be able to keep oil pressure up at idle. when spinning it faster, revin it up, its easier for it to build pressure. take out your OPS and put in a gauge and drive it around checking it cold to hot.
#3
B*a*n*n*e*d
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Bouncing off of the city bus in Saigon
Posts: 11,712
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
could be the pump but I would replace the sending unit first and see if that solves the problem. replacing oil pump = remove oil pan and change pump out.....
#4
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD, USA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Wish I had known at 300k miles when the timing belt was done.
So, on the oil pressure sending unit...
1) When I take it out is oil gonna flow out the hole, if it hasn't been drained first?
2) Do I need a special thread sealant type stuff?
3) Do I need a special socket to remove the sending unit?
Thanks
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
i think the problem is, that it has alot of miles on it, f.e. 300k like you said. after that many miles, the oil passages, bearing clearences and galleries start to wear out. i would first try a thicker oil, f.e. if your using 5w-20, then that means when the oil warms up its only 5 thick. try going with like a 10w-20 or something or more common one is 10w-30. that should work as well, but its a cheaper fix than replacing oil sending units and oil pumps. this isnt a problem really. the car is driving at 300k miles you should be proud. its a veteran on the road. it has a right to be a little worn inside.
#7
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Gregp09 what are you talking about when you say, "when the oil warms up it is only 5 thick"???? that doesn't make any sense
Trending Topics
#8
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
I wasnt sayin to just replace the oil pump, for it is a big job. Im saying to check your oil pressure at different temps, rpm and load ranges. this will tell you if you have a problem with the pump or if its is the sending unit
#9
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Thanks Wikipedia:
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid which is being deformed by either shear stress or extensional stress. In everyday terms (and for fluids only), viscosity is "thickness." Thus, water is "thin," having a lower viscosity, while honey is "thick," having a higher viscosity. Viscosity describes a fluid's internal resistance to flow and may be thought of as a measure of fluid friction. For example, high-viscosity magma will create a tall, steep stratovolcano, because it cannot flow far before it cools, while low-viscosity lava will create a wide, shallow-sloped shield volcano. Put simply, the less viscous something is, the greater its ease of movement (fluidity). [1] All real fluids (except superfluids) have some resistance to stress, but a fluid which has no resistance to shear stress is known as an ideal fluid or inviscid fluid. The study of viscosity is known as rheology.
#10
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
i think the problem is, that it has alot of miles on it, f.e. 300k like you said. after that many miles, the oil passages, bearing clearences and galleries start to wear out. i would first try a thicker oil, f.e. if your using 5w-20, then that means when the oil warms up its only 5 thick. try going with like a 10w-20 or something or more common one is 10w-30. that should work as well, but its a cheaper fix than replacing oil sending units and oil pumps. this isnt a problem really. the car is driving at 300k miles you should be proud. its a veteran on the road. it has a right to be a little worn inside.
Using 10w-30 would do jack **** for a car that has done that milage, 20W-50 would be a go.
#11
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
^^ now you said that I understand what Mavvrik was trying to say..... I lol'n at myself right now for not reading why mavvrik asked.... DOH!!
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Hahah, ok, I had to ask/bring it up. However, you do know that the "W" in (x)W doesn't stand for weight??
#13
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Since I cannot say 'W' in written form, I just call it 'W'eight since every one calls it that way even though it is wrong.
W-means Winter. This is your oil viscosity during winter or generally when it is on cold temperature.
W-means Winter. This is your oil viscosity during winter or generally when it is on cold temperature.
#15
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD, USA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
10w30 is in it as per owners manual.
I'll try a thicker oil on my next change.
Probably easier to just replace the sending unit than check oil temp at different rpms etc.So, on the sending unit.
Can anyone answer my install questions?
1) When I take it out is oil gonna flow out the hole, if it hasn't been drained first?
2) Do I need a special thread sealant type stuff?
3) Do I need a special socket to remove the sending unit?
Thanks,
Scott
I'll try a thicker oil on my next change.
Probably easier to just replace the sending unit than check oil temp at different rpms etc.So, on the sending unit.
Can anyone answer my install questions?
1) When I take it out is oil gonna flow out the hole, if it hasn't been drained first?
2) Do I need a special thread sealant type stuff?
3) Do I need a special socket to remove the sending unit?
Thanks,
Scott
#16
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
1) No, oil wont flow out the hole unless the engine is running and pumping oil around the engine
(well not an amount to be concerned about anyways - there will be a little bit of oil)
2)Don't quote me on this but I think the new sensor will come with a sealant on the tapered thread (some sensors rely on the earthing of the housing to the block)
3)Shouldn't need a special socket to get the sender out, although it's in a pain in the a$$ spot to get at.
(well not an amount to be concerned about anyways - there will be a little bit of oil)
2)Don't quote me on this but I think the new sensor will come with a sealant on the tapered thread (some sensors rely on the earthing of the housing to the block)
3)Shouldn't need a special socket to get the sender out, although it's in a pain in the a$$ spot to get at.
#18
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MS, USA
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
The motor is toast. Either rebuild it, replace it or just replace your oil pump to keep it going for a while longer, but the motor is worn internally.
#20
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD, USA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Well, put a new oil sending unit in and switched to 10w40.
I couldn't replicate the oil light coming on even after turning the idle back down.
We'll see how it goes under normal driving.
FYI anyone else who is changing out the oil sending unit, a 22mm deep socket will be useful.
now for A/C and possible power steering....
Thanks,
Scott
I couldn't replicate the oil light coming on even after turning the idle back down.
We'll see how it goes under normal driving.
FYI anyone else who is changing out the oil sending unit, a 22mm deep socket will be useful.
now for A/C and possible power steering....
Thanks,
Scott
#21
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Westford, MA
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
The switch is cheap enough to do first. That might very well be your issue especially if it hasn't been replaced before. Check your oil level while the car is running.
#22
Re: Oil light on during idle after warmup
Running a thinner weight like 5W instead of 10W will cause the Bearings to wear sooner. Running thicker weight the engine will have to work harder to
push it around.
Next you will say 30W means 30 Winter oil and just out of curiosity where can I purchase some 10S40 as I need some summer oil.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
owneyboy
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
5
06-14-2009 01:54 PM