The car is a '96 Integra Ls with about 135,000 miles. I checked the oil pressure today because I've been getting the flashing oil light on my dash and notice it's only 26-27psi of oil pressure and the quoted normal specs from a mitchell manual was 50psi--mine was barely a little over half of what it's supposed to be. I was stressed because I was told if it's not the oil pump, I'm going to have to rebuild my block. Anyone ever had low oil pressure and found out what it was? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

at what RPM dude?!?!

mine goes from 15-20psi at idle to 80+ at 8000rpm when HOT...

t..


[Modified by tinkerbell, 5:33 PM 9/25/2002]

 

if that was with the car HOT
i would check the pickup.
pull the oil pan, you cant miss it. just look at the screen and make sure its not clogged.
also make sure the oilpan isnt dented in.

 

verify that your oil pressure guage and switch are good..
your oil pressure should be around 25 at idle
in my d16 it's 12.5 the B series I think is around 20
on the d16 the oil pressure switch comes on at like 3 psi

make sure you have adequate oil in your engine

basically there is a simple rule for min oil pressure
if you are below these psi for the rpm you are in trouble
1 psi for every 100 rpms
so 10 psi for 1000rpms
20 psi for 2000 rpms
80 psi for 8000 rpms

 

You guys are starting to put a smile on my face.....because when I got the 26-27 psi, it was at idle; so does that mean it's cool? But the Mitchell manual said it should be at 50psi (normal oil pressure as quoted in there).? The car was driven and then sat for a lil while before the test, so I guess it was cold/warm.? But if it's normal pressure, why would I be getting the oil light (oil level is cool)......it used to flash alot while I was driving and notice the oil needed to be topped off, but now the flashing (during driving) is gone but everytime I started up the car it stays illuminated for awhile and flashes a couple of time (all other lights are out except this one) and then goes out. Oil level is full too. What should I look into?

 

1. check the oil sensor switch is connected properly

2. recheck your oil level

3. use thicker/heavy/less viscous oil eg 20/50

t..

 

Oil sensor switch is fine, oil level is good, I've been running 10w-40 forever. There's no way to check the oil pump is there? Have to pull and replace is the only way huh. What are the chances that it's a clogged pickup screen because I haven't checked that?

 

if you have oil pressure, then your pump is fine... rev it up and watch the gauge and see what happens... Everybody here is referring to the STOCK pressure sending unit (The little screw in thing next to the Oil filter on the back of the block)

 

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about: STOCK oil pressure. I got the reading from where the little sensor next to the oil filter resides. In the manual it says it should be 50psi to be normal and I was only getting 26-27psi. Also my car idles rough on cold starts and the engine oil light flashes while warming up everytime.

 

yeah, without the pressure readings,

it sounds like you have some loose bearings, 135K miles and iregular oil cahnges can do it...

try some 20/50 oil...

t..

 

Thanks Tinkerbell and all others who've replied. I'll try thicker oil. The rough idling I should've mention is a whole nother story that I recently diagnosed w/ a leakdown test--possible blown head gasket--coolant in cc. Though, the flashing oil light and low oil pressure has to have a cause....I'll just try the thicker oil for now.