I had my oil changed at the local quick lube. checked oil level before leaving station and it was good. Looked at it this morning before work and level was good. so I was happy with the service until the drive home. the oil light started to flicker and I pull over grabbed the rag and a quart of oil and checked it. the level was good. what do i need to look at next??

Thanks,

Walter

 

Either your oil pump or your sending unit

 

how would i check them?

 

A decent shop can check your press, get a price first, as you can buy the equipt. for around $100.

You may want to find out what oil they installed - is it on your receipt?
They may have installed 5w-30

With a crapload of miles, I'd suggest 15w-40 weight. (Rotella brand is popular - w-mart sells it but there's other good brands) I started using it, my oil pressure increased hot & cold.

You may find your oil lite doesn't come on as easily with more pressure.

If you're not mechanical, I'd start with heavier oil. 15w-40 is rated from -10F on up.

luck,greg

 

10w-30 is what i have in it. I do all of the work on the truck, just did not have any time and it was over due for a change so i let someone else do it this time.

 

I've used 5w-30 during the winter and the engine ran very smoothly. I've found that GEMS model LRs tend to have failing oil pumps at higher mileage. You can try a different oil viscosity if you wish, but I would have an oil pressure test done first before anything. If it all checks out fine, then you probably have an oil pressure sensor issue as previously stated.

 

15w40 may have a pour point of -10F but have you ever tried to start a car with a 15w-xx conventional oil? It sounds horrible.

If you do have oil pressure problems a thicker oil is just going to buy you a little time until the engine dies. Which is fine if this is a junker you plan on only keeping a little while. Otherwise get your oil pressure checked and that is fine replace your sending unit. I would not drive it anywhere though.

 

I would suggest that you replace the cheap oil filter the lube shop installed, not that it is causing but because it is a cheap, poor quality filter that won't do the job.
As for your light, leave the truck at a shop, over night, and have them check the pressure with the engine stone cold at idle and 2000 RPM's then again when warmed up at idle and 2000 RPM's. Get back to us with the numbers and quit using those over priced lube shops, you know, the one's that don't know what they are doing.

 

OK. that was the first and last time I'm using a lube shop, just have been working so much i ran out of time. it will go to the shop next week. till then looks like I'm driving the Toyota. Hope the gas peddle will not stick.