Intermittent Oil Pressure Light - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tshephard · 06-01-2005, 05:53 AM

Not the sender, I actually pulled it while the light was on and saw no flow.
Stopped and restarted, and got great flow.

Looking for suggestions...

USA, 95 Celica GT (S), 2.2 (5S-FE looks right)...

Is the drive for the oil pump absolutely positive? ie, is the drive designed such that the oil pump could be working, stop , and then return?
I would suspect that it is so, that a broken part would remain non-functional, but does anyone know?

If so, I will concentrate on pickup/blockage/pan, which could come and go.

Is pan removable on car?

Thanks, tshephard

88 LE · 06-01-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tshephard

Is the drive for the oil pump absolutely positive? ie, is the drive designed such that the oil pump could be working, stop , and then return?

The oil pump is driven by the timing belt. So it should always be working whenever the motor is running.

Quote:

Is pan removable on car?

Yes, though some of the bolts/nuts might be hard to get to.

tshephard · 06-01-2005, 12:31 PM

Thanks for reply.

Are any of the pump drive pieces plastic/nylon, that could stop moving, then re-engage?

Also, the drivers side of pan seems to be blocked by, I don't know, a c shaped, seashell looking piece. Is it just a stiffener?

Tim S.

dexter_5000 · 06-01-2005, 06:12 PM

those sensors are known for failing for some reason on those engines. i had a friend with a camry who told me about that. they either clog or just fail for some reason.

tshephard · 06-02-2005, 06:02 AM

I pulled the sensor while the light was on (and engine running), and was quite shocked to see NO flow at all, and no tappet noise! So I'm pretty sure it is not the sender/sensor.

I have pan off, saw major sludge in pan, still looking for a mechanic who knows the oil pump.

Are the drive pully, driving , and driven rotor all metal, and positive drive?, or could they have stopped and then returned to pumping?

Pineapple · 06-02-2005, 03:48 PM

Get a oil pressure gauge to see if you get oil pressure. Remove the sensor and clean it with degreaser, throttle body cleaner work pretty well to remove sludge.

dexter_5000 · 06-02-2005, 06:19 PM

how many miles on the engine cause toyota oil pumps rarely fail.

tshephard · 06-03-2005, 06:43 AM

I went to dealer, didn't have any parts but guy knew oil drive and rotor parts were metal. so positive drive.

Cleaned a ton of gunk out/off of pan and pickup, problem gone so far. Other sites list engine crud build-up as repetitive problem.

If anyone is searching, the pan is removable, loosen front motor mount, remove front center support bolts and single bolt in round, front m/m, loosen back bolts, pry support down and insert block for tool clearance to bottom transmission "seashell" bolts.

Tim S.

Pineapple · 06-03-2005, 11:00 AM

Maybe time for an engine flush.

Toobs · 06-11-2005, 01:38 AM

Definately would have been the crud on the pickup causing the oil starvation.

Also don't chuck flushing oil in an older engine (i.e. many years since rebuilt) as it will remove more than just sludge.

If you want use an engine oil cleaning additive before your next oil change... i.e. the type you chuck in on top of your old oil and idle the car for 10mins and then dump your oil.

Nulon is the main brand for this type of oil system cleaning additive in Australia... don't know what you would have over in the states.