Help! No oil pressure...

[barthmonster]

My idiot light was on for low oil pressure when I started the camry this morning. Engine had recent oil-pump / pan work. It was also 0 degrees this morning. Could my oil pressure sender have failed or could my oil pump pickup tube have come back off the oil pump. I did use locktight, but who knows if it set properly or not.

Can I remove the oil pressure sender from the head and start it up for a second or two to check for oil flow...?

[BamZipPow]

Um...what grade of oil did you put in yer car? Could be that the oil was all thick and gooey. Is the light still on when you drove the car?

[toyomoho]

The safest route is to remove the oil pressure sender and replace it with a pressure gauge, then start the car.

If zero oil pressure don't operate the engine until you find the problem.

[96paseo]

Is your oil level up to full? Stupid question but I've seen that idiot light come on if its 1 quart low.

[barthmonster]

I was about 3/4 qt. low, so I added up the full line. I ran it again and the oil-pressure light is still on. I'm guessing the pickup-tube fell-off. I didn't run it but about 3 seconds each time, so I may try the gauge thing...

[toyomoho]

Don't run the engine until you can actually test the pressure.

If you think the tube has fallen off the pump drop the pan and check.

If you keep starting the engine with no oil pressure sooner or later you will damage the bearings and the repairs will be time consuming and expensive.

[barthmonster]

the day that this idiot light wouldn't go out was 0 degrees. Today was 40 F when I got home so I tried it again, believing it to the the sender. (The engine just 'sounded' like it had good oil pressure) It started up and within about 3-seconds the light went out. I warmed it up about 10 minutes with no issues. Hopefully just a little moisture in my sender froze. Will find out tomorrow...

[new echo owner]

Pull the switch off and inspect the end that screws into the engine to make sure it is not restricted or dirty.

N.E.O.

[TLewis07@cfl.rr.com]

Originally Posted by barthmonster

My idiot light was on for low oil pressure when I started the camry this morning. Engine had recent oil-pump / pan work. It was also 0 degrees this morning. Could my oil pressure sender have failed or could my oil pump pickup tube have come back off the oil pump. I did use locktight, but who knows if it set properly or not.

Can I remove the oil pressure sender from the head and start it up for a second or two to check for oil flow...?

yes but put a pressure gauge on it,check for proper pressure,cold and warm,make sure you have quality oil filter and of course some oil in motor.

[nikita]

What grade of oil? 20W-50 is not rated for 0F starting, but the normal 10W-30 should be fine. Even 15W-40 will pump, but straight 30 is solid at that temperature.