oil light on = dying KA?

[Syntax360]

Sorry this is so long, but i think it's necessary to understand the problem. I've had troubles with my valve cover recently. It was painted, put back on, and stayed fine until the gasket finally gave (I know, I know: i shoulda changed it right away) and after I took it off, bolted it back on, etc and used silicone as a makeshift gasket, it ran fine but i took it right to my shop. They installed 2 new gaskets, heliocoiled 10 of 11 bolts (they were shot) and generally put the whole thing together. It drove fine for a day. One day later the oil light came on. I took it back, they replaced the oil sending unit switch or something (they said it was leaking....whatever) and the light remains on. They then come to me, nothing else done, and proclaim I need a new engine. They say there's no way to fix it, blah blah and I'm generally screwed. Does this sound right? They replaced a switch and right away decide my engine is on its last legs. Couldn't some silicon or metal shards from the heliocoil have slipped in and clogged the filter or something very simple like that? Perhaps I'm just that ignorant about these things,, but it seems rash to say the engine is toast w/ no other info than the oil sending unit isn't the problem. Thanks!!!!

[djtodd]

Is it low on oil?! :pface

Yeah, it does sound a bit rash.

I mean if the oil pumps gone that's one thing. I can't see the need to replace the engine so quickly...Unless they really trashed something and don't want to fess up.

[Syntax360]

it was perfect when the light came on and i added a lil oil after that........if anything it has too much oil. i get paid friday and i'll have another shop check it out

[slw240sx]

is it knocking .. grinding or anything? maybe a bad sender ... maybe hooked up backwards !! maybe they forgot to add oil after changing it causing damage but doubt they would take responsibilty

Jon

[yellow_jacket]

What they are telling you is generally true. If you have low oil pressure then it is time for a new motor. It won't always knock or grind as it isn't always the connecting rod bearings that go. As for the oil pump being the problem, Very unlikely.

Usually if you have low oil pressure w/o knocks it is because the mains are getting worn out. You need to have the oil pressure tested with a mechanical gauge. If it is really low(most likely it is) then you have two options1) something clogged the pickup or the oil filter2) rebuild the motor.

You didn't say they changed the oil after all of this happened so there is a very, very slim chance the filter is plugged. It is more likely though that all pieces of old gasket and what not have clogged the pickup.

And there is no way they will take responsibility for it.

[MrFox]

if u suspect there's silicon crud is clogging inside, find a shop that can pressure flush the engine with oil. might save u a rebuild.

[slw240sx]

what if its a malfucntioning pressure switch ? then the pressure really wont be that low

[yellow_jacket]

He has already been through two of the pressure switches so I doubt it is that.

[Syntax360]

ya, i'm sure it's not the switch. thanks for the replies guys! i just did an oil change and there was all kinds of nasty stuff in it, but the light is still on. It's my guess that the oil pickup lines look like a 400lb. man's arteries. I don't know what to do with this thing besides start saving for a CA18 or RB20 (prolly CA) :-(

[yellow_jacket]

Drop the oil pan and clean all of the garbage out of the pickup for the oil pump. I am assuming that all the nasty stuff you are talking about was the old valve cover gasket and pieces of silicone. Just clean the pickup and change the filter and you will probalby be ok again.

Plus all this will only cost you a tube of silicone, oil filter, and oil. So it is very cheap to do and worth a shot.

[ZilverX]

Also, might want to try a higher viscosity oil. If the bearings are worn out, there is extra clearance and oil (if it is circulating) will not be sufficient to separate the bearings, or build pressure. Keep in mind too, if nasty stuff is in your pan, it probably went through the oil pump. Wear and tear on the pump with age, plus debris damage could be enough to trash the pump and prevent it from making sufficient oil pressure. I would clean out the pan, the pickup strainer, maybe try to find a higher pressure pump. But first put a mechanical oil gauge on the engine to verify actual pressure. If none, you know the story.