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1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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rcmos
New User
May 6, 2013, 10:42 PM
Post #1 of 5
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1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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1991 Toyota Celica ST 1.6L, 86000 miles
Hello I have the strangest problem with my car. For about the first 20 minutes of driving my car no lights come on, but after it warms up and i come to a stop or idle the oil pressure light comes on until I do something like turn the wheel, put it in park or drive off. The car does not act funny in any way while the light is on. It does this most of the time but very few times it will not come on any at all while i am driving. I was thinking maybe the oil pump or maybe something is a little clogged. i do not know too much about that area of the engine but i would sure appreciate any information or help!
(This post was edited by rcmos on May 6, 2013, 10:44 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 7, 2013, 2:20 AM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: 1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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Is idle speed dropping too low when low oil pressure noted? It should keep about the same idle speed as in parking, steering, use of A/C etc. If it can't that's an issue.
If oil is slightly contaminated with gas it will be too thin. Smell it and fix that at once if so as that's an engine killer. 1991 - you could UP the viscosity of oil just a bit like if it calls for 5-30 go to 10-30 may cover it. If no fuel in oil go synthetic also can help as IMO it maintains rated viscosity better,
T
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rcmos
New User
May 7, 2013, 2:36 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: 1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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No gas in oil. just did a fresh oil change last week and put 10-30 in hoping it would fix it. It idles at around 600-700 in drive. any other time its at about 1000 or above in park/turning the steering wheel or anything else. i was thinking that it could be idling a bit too low. I do however notice a faint gas smell when I press the gas pedal harder than usual if that would have anything to do with it.
(This post was edited by rcmos on May 7, 2013, 2:51 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 7, 2013, 3:02 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: 1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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I'm a tad lost with this. It idles at 1,000 without a load? That's too high. If light comes on at that RPM it's either not accurate or oil pump can't pump enough. 600-700 in drive seems about right. New oil change didn't help? Of course oil is thinner and less able to maintain oil pressure when warm. You probably should check actual oil pressure with a gauge on the engine not just the light that could be off on the pressure it should make a warning light come on.
If this engine is sludged up it may have trouble picking up oil for the pump.
How nice is this car and how far do you want to go for a 1991? If worn and can be even at low miles. If this only does it while warm that suggests viscosity of oil helps. If just buying some more time with this and I don't like magic in can for much the plain old STP oil treatment will thicken oil viscosity - don't overfill it. AYOR with tricks and even some known ones may not work or cause problems of their own.
How far do you want to go with this car? If it's safe, legal fix it. If all other aspects of it are exceptional go for it.
?? It's 22+/- years old so either of interest or just buying time. What do you want to do?
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 7, 2013, 5:27 AM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: 1991 Toyota Low oil pressure
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Didn't see the comment on faint smell of gas. If added please make a new post as I/we wouldn't normally re-read the whole thread again each time.
That whether involved or not needs to be addressed whatever the source. Again, verify the real oil pressure with a gauge that screws into where the light for sensor does now. Rough guess that most will set off typical "idiot" light if oil pressure drops below about 15-20 PSI - not all are the same setting for a warning.
You said you had no real symptoms or a low/no oil sound so it might be wrong or just right on the line??
T
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