oil pressure problem, oil light keeps coming on |
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oil pressure problem, oil light keeps coming on |
mrbubblehead |
Apr 13 2011, 07:55 PM
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#1
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Twodollardoug Group: Members Posts: 1,155 Joined: 17-December 10 From: calimesa ca. Member No.: 12,492 Region Association: Southern California |
im having a problem with my 914. the oil light for my 1.8, keeps coming on. never when the engine is cool. but after it is good and hot. it will come on when get off the freeway and sit at a stop sign. it comes on when im hard cornering. it even came on once after i was getting on the freeway at wide open throttle then immediately decelerate. i am running 20-50 wt oil. and 800 rpm idle. and oil level to the top line. but the problem gets worse as the oil level drops. im not real familiar with the type 4 engine. but know the type 1 very well.
i have a couple ideas for where the problem may lie. 1. oil pump is wore out 2. windage tray, or lack of. its not a defective oil pressure switch, i replaced it with a new one with the same result. in fact, i now have oil light and an oil pressure gauge. im pretty sure this is not normal for a type 4. but i want to ask anyways, so i can rule it out. any ideas? |
Mike Bellis |
Apr 13 2011, 07:59 PM
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#2
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None |
Switch to Brad Penn oil. I'm not sure the dual viscosity oil is the best choice for an air cooled engine.
If it goes on at a stop light it is... 1. low oil 2. Not enough viscosity at temp 3. bad oil sender |
TheCabinetmaker |
Apr 13 2011, 08:21 PM
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#3
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,309 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
I would do a compression test. Low compression could indicate worn rings.
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Valy |
Apr 13 2011, 08:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,677 Joined: 6-April 10 From: Sunnyvale, CA Member No.: 11,573 Region Association: Northern California |
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IronHillRestorations |
Apr 14 2011, 06:56 AM
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#5
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I. I. R. C. Group: Members Posts: 6,759 Joined: 18-March 03 From: West TN Member No.: 439 Region Association: None |
If changing oil doesn't help the problem, it's probably time to rebuild the engine.
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Cap'n Krusty |
Apr 14 2011, 07:55 AM
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#6
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
Pumps on these engines don't really wear out. Low oil pressure is generally a result of too much clearance in the bearings or the incorrect oil viscosity. Ring wear doesn't affect oil pressure, nor does compression. I recommend 20w50 Brad Penn oil. Anything other than 20w50 is too thin in most parts of the US, except in the midst of winter in the really cold states. Modern multi grade oils are fine for use in these engines.
The Cap'n |
tradisrad |
Apr 14 2011, 08:13 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 985 Joined: 11-September 06 From: San Mateo, CA Member No.: 6,815 Region Association: Northern California |
what is the pressure gauge reading when the light comes on? I am not sure what folks think of these pressure boosting kits
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TheCabinetmaker |
Apr 14 2011, 08:26 AM
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#8
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,309 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
Thanks Cap'n, I didn't know that. Now that I think about it, it does make sense that ring blowby would not affect the pressure from the pump. Duh!
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Jeffs9146 |
Apr 14 2011, 12:02 PM
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#9
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Ski Bum Group: Members Posts: 4,062 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Discovery Bay, Ca Member No.: 128 |
I had this problem on my 6 a while ago so I purchased a mechanical oil guage and installed in where the pressure sensor is to check and it was fine! So I just purchased a new sensor and all was good!
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r_towle |
Apr 14 2011, 12:25 PM
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#10
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,624 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
Pumps on these engines don't really wear out. Low oil pressure is generally a result of too much clearance in the bearings or the incorrect oil viscosity. Ring wear doesn't affect oil pressure, nor does compression. I recommend 20w50 Brad Penn oil. Anything other than 20w50 is too thin in most parts of the US, except in the midst of winter in the really cold states. Modern multi grade oils are fine for use in these engines. The Cap'n (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I switch out to 30 weight in the winter if I am driving...otherwise 50 weight only. or its your bearings... Rich |
mrbubblehead |
Apr 14 2011, 09:22 PM
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#11
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Twodollardoug Group: Members Posts: 1,155 Joined: 17-December 10 From: calimesa ca. Member No.: 12,492 Region Association: Southern California |
thanks for all the input everybody.... as a bandaid, i turn the idle up to 900 rpm. and here are my new numbers.
rpm set to 900 cylinder head temp 300 degrees oil temp 210 oil pressure 13 psi at idle no light at idle now. but the real test will be tomorrows drive home from work. hopefully this will buy me some time. this way i hope to find a good engine core to put on the stand for a proper build. so if anyone has a cheap 1.7-1.8-2.0 laying around i am in the market. emphasis on cheap. LOL. thanks again doug |
ArtechnikA |
Apr 15 2011, 04:49 AM
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#12
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rich herzog Group: Members Posts: 7,390 Joined: 4-April 03 From: Salted Roads, PA Member No.: 513 Region Association: None |
Also note that the light will light any time the wire is grounded. If the wire is chafing anywhere in its run to the panel and has rubbed a bare spot, it can short-to-ground and light the light - no matter your real oil pressure...
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Jeffs9146 |
Apr 15 2011, 07:44 AM
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#13
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Ski Bum Group: Members Posts: 4,062 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Discovery Bay, Ca Member No.: 128 |
QUOTE rpm set to 900 cylinder head temp 300 degrees oil temp 210 oil pressure 13 psi at idle What is the oil psi at 500 rpm's? |
Cap'n Krusty |
Apr 15 2011, 08:11 AM
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#14
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
thanks for all the input everybody.... as a bandaid, i turn the idle up to 900 rpm. and here are my new numbers. rpm set to 900 cylinder head temp 300 degrees oil temp 210 oil pressure 13 psi at idle no light at idle now. but the real test will be tomorrows drive home from work. hopefully this will buy me some time. this way i hope to find a good engine core to put on the stand for a proper build. so if anyone has a cheap 1.7-1.8-2.0 laying around i am in the market. emphasis on cheap. LOL. thanks again doug The oil pressure may be as low as 7PSI at idle, when hot. The idle speed for a stock T4 engine is SUPPOSED to be 900-950 RPM. While the oil temp is a little high, it's not really an issue here. You said you have a new oil pressure switch. Are you SURE you have the correct switch? Many non-VW specific switches don't have the correct pressure trigger point. The Cap'n |
Jeffs9146 |
Apr 15 2011, 08:17 AM
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#15
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Ski Bum Group: Members Posts: 4,062 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Discovery Bay, Ca Member No.: 128 |
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ConeDodger |
Apr 15 2011, 08:20 AM
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#16
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Apex killer! Group: Members Posts: 23,758 Joined: 31-December 04 From: Tahoe Area Member No.: 3,380 Region Association: Northern California |
You didn't by any chance put pipe thread sealing tape on the new sender did you?
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reharvey |
Apr 15 2011, 09:16 AM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 573 Joined: 16-July 08 From: N. E. Ohio Member No.: 9,308 Region Association: North East States |
You didn't by any chance put pipe thread sealing tape on the new sender did you? I had this low oil pressure problem with one of my 914s. On a hot day at idle the oil pressure light would come on. I tryed all the things suggested here but the bottom line was that the main bearings were worn out. |
Drums66 |
Apr 15 2011, 12:55 PM
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#18
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914 Rudiments Group: Members Posts: 5,321 Joined: 15-January 03 From: Coronado,Cali Member No.: 151 Region Association: Southwest Region |
......From where I sit it is hard to diagnose..try the simple things mentioned 1st!
I don't use multi-grade oils in these cars (just me) no issues!(against popular belief) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) |
mrbubblehead |
Apr 15 2011, 11:06 PM
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#19
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Twodollardoug Group: Members Posts: 1,155 Joined: 17-December 10 From: calimesa ca. Member No.: 12,492 Region Association: Southern California |
ok i have some new numbers. just to answer a few questions. the sender is a new vdo 2 post sending unit. one for the idiot light the other is for my digital oil pressure guage. no sealing compound was used. i installed it dry.
these numbers were taken today on my way home from work. it was hot. 91 degrees here in so cal. here we go..... at 3200 rpm oil pressure 39 lbs cylinder head temp 318 oil temp 212 at 900 rpm (idle) oil pressure 13 lbs cylinder head temp 308 oil temp 212 this was after a 30 minute freeway drive at 75 mph. and for those of you wondering how i came up with my numbers, i built a whole new dash with all dakota digital gauges. |
silver74insocal |
Apr 15 2011, 11:12 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 736 Joined: 26-November 09 From: rancho cucamonga Member No.: 11,073 Region Association: Southern California |
hey um..you dont have enough gauges on there dude (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) thats f@ckin sweet
ps: sorry i have nothing constructive to add |
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