Oil light on when hot

[JTG]

Hi, just had the car serviced and when the car is hot, and I've been driving a bit hard, the oil light comes on or flickers a bit. I had this before the change and I think somebody said that this can happen on the VR4s with old oil and the oil which came out of it was a bit black and manky so I thought the new stuff would solve it. It now has Mobil 1 5w30 in the engine. Is this a big problem that I am going to have to look in to?

I hope to soon invest in some guages, one of which of course will be oil pressure.

[taupodrifta]

factory oil pressure switch maybe faulty?

[elnevio]

Yes, this can happen when the oil gets a bit hot and thin. You can try using a slightly heavier weight of oil, perhaps a 10w-30 or 15w-40.

You can also indeed try a new stock oil pressure switch, they are about £12 from Camskill.

[miller]

Its usually a sign the pressure switch is weak and doesnt like the hot temperatures. At the cost of a new switch this would be my first port of call.

[JTG]

Ok, many thanks for the advice. May I ask how easy it is to fit? Not being very mechanically gifted I'm guessing this is something I will have to get somebody else to fit?

[elnevio]

They're cheaper than I thought: http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m22b0s1399p5561 :deal2:


I can't remember where it is, but possibly somewhere near the oil filter housing. Should be a case of unplug old sensor, unbolt it, bolt in new sensor, plug in. Probably at the same time as changing the oil, I guess!

[foxdie]

If you take out the wheel arch liner on the drivers side (right-hand drive), the Oil Pressure Switch is on the engine behind the panel.

You may find some useful in this (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43975) thread as I changed mine about 7 months ago :)

[JTG]

Thanks for that, will be buying an oil pressure switch from Camskill tomorrow.

[mattnz]

If you're going to get gauges as well, it might be an idea to do it all at the same time.

[JTG]

Right the switch arrived today. But out of interest, if when I get round to having the switch changed, this doesn't cure the problem, then what am I looking at?

Thanks

[elnevio]

Don't think about it for now. That's worn engine/knackered oil pump territory, potentially.