Hello,

I've noticed lately that on startup the oil light stays on for a few seconds, and the engine is significantly louder in those first few seconds. That prompted me to install an oil pressure gauge.

Engine is a B16B, mechanically stock. 10w30 Rotella T5 oil, w/ a S2000 oil filter.

At startup, it takes about 3-4 seconds to register on the gauge.

Pressure is high at startup (40-50), and after driving it levels to around 15-20 PSI at idle, and 70 or so to redline. At 3k RPM it stays around 50PSI.

Those numbers are good from what I've read, but the noise and low pressure at startup had me worried. I was going to be replacing the oil pan gasket sometime soon along with other work and wanted to know if I should be looking at replacing the oil pump too.

 

Bump, looking for feedback before I start working on the other things.

The numbers tell me it's good but the amount of time it takes to register when starting are concerning. I've tried priming the engine by cranking w/ the ECU power removed and it still does it.

 

Where is your oil pressure sensor located? I'm assuming in the stock location on the back of the block? That does seem like a long time for oil pressure to be registered. Your pressure numbers do seem ok.

 

Yeah in the stock location, using the ktuned adapter.

I should time it, but it does take at least 2 seconds for the light to turn off. Maybe 3-4 is an exaggeration. It doesn't do this when warm though.

My blackstone reports have been good, and everything else seems fine so maybe I'm being paranoid.

 

What oil filters are you using? If the filter doesn't have a valve or if the valve doesn't seal well, it can allow the oil galleys to drain back down to the pan, meaning it will take longer to prime and build pressure on startup. It's probably not a huge deal if you're building good pressure, which it sounds like you are doing.

 

I was wondering about that, it has an OEM S2000 oil filter right now. I had read they are fine to use on other Honda engines and it saves me from buying 2 different filters... They should have an anti-drainback valve but I should check the ones I have.

 

The filters do have the rubber valve. The oil light does stay on for about 3 seconds after paying attention to it again. If it sits for about an hour, it stays on for a second or 2.

So I'm guessing either the oil pump is going out, or the bearings are wearing. I'm skeptical of both since it makes good pressure when running, and the UOAs have been good. The hot-idle pressure is low though, so hopefully the oil pump will resolve it.

This engine spends a lot of time in higher RPMs so maybe its just worn out. Also, the flywheel is lighter than stock - a thought of mine is that maybe the balance is slightly off because of the flywheel and has stressed out the oil pump.

I'm going to replace the oil pump while I have it down to do some other engine maintenance so hopefully that does it. Going with a ATI Damper as well to see if it will help with the balance/harmonics of it at higher engine speeds.

 

I know not a B16B but on my B18C1 I'm at like 75-80psi when cold, 15ish when warm and anything cruising above 3500rpms or so I'm at 75psi.

 

Thanks, I've read that 15 warm is either normal or low. How long has yours ran like that?

How long does your oil light stay on at startup?

 

The oil light would stay on for maybe a literal .5-1second. About the same delay for my oil pressure gauge to kick in. Without walking out to my CRX to check mileage id guess I've probably put 3500-4k miles on her

 

So by chance I stumbled upon this post on S2KI, about oil jets, and the weird bolt they use. The bolt has a ball bearing and spring to act as a seal until a pressure is reached, and upon failure of the spring they stay open, causing low oil pressure at startup.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...bolts-1204068/

I thought this could be applicable to my situation since it looks like many B series engines use a similar oil jet setup.

Can anyone confirm if the bolts are similar for B series engines? The parts look similar but I can't tell if they also have a valve inside.