Pump Pressure
Friday, June 17th, 2011 |
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What Causes Your Car's Oil Pressure to Drop?
Chances are, you're already aware your vehicle's engine requires oil to operate smoothly. If the level declines, you'll need to replenish it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you risk allowing your engine to suffer damage due to excess heat and friction. Keeping the level replenished does not guarantee your engine will receive a sufficient amount of fluid. You may be surprised to learn your engine can still seize up if the oil pressure (OP) drops.
In this article, we'll explain some of the reasons the oil pressure in your engine can drop. You'll discover the problem can be related to the rod bearings, the oil pump, pressure release valve, and other components.
Normal Wear Of The Bearings
After tens of thousands of miles, your rod bearings can become severely worn. Normally, there is very little space between these bearings and your crankshaft journals. When the bearings wear down, this space increases. Even a tiny clearance between them and the journals will create a reduction in pressure. The larger the clearance, the greater the pressure loss.
An excessive clearance can lower the pressure by as much as 20%. If that occurs, it will restrict the lubrication provided by the oil to the engine's moving parts. You'll see a warning indicator on your dash alerting you to the problem. If you allow it to persist, you'll likely start to hear knocking sounds. At that point, engine damage may be right around the corner.
The Oil Pump
A lot of people assume their car's oil pump creates the necessary OP to allow seamless lubrication within the engine. In reality, it does not. This component only contributes to the fluid's flow. That said, problems related to the pump can still cause an oil pressure loss.
Your oil pump has gears that are contained within a cover. There is a very small amount of space between the gears and the pump's casing. If the space between them enlarges - even a tiny amount - the pump will be less effective when pumping oil. That reduces the pressure.
The Pressure Release Valve
Your vehicle has a component that is responsible for regulating the OP based on the speed of your engine. This component is called the pressure release valve. It is designed to engage when your engine reaches a predefined speed. The higher your engine's speed, the higher the oil pressure. To control it, the valve opens and allows the fluid to move back to the crankcase. If, for some reason, the pressure release valve is stuck in an open position, the OP will drop.
Is There Air Present In The Pump?
There are times - though it is uncommon - when the oil pan contains too little fluid and as a result, allows air to be pulled into the oil pump. This problem can also occur if there is too much oil within the crankcase. Whatever the root cause, the introduction of air causes a pressure drop.
Is The Oil Filter Clogged?
When oil flows from the pump, it must go through a filter before reaching your engine. That prevents debris from flowing to your engine and causing damage. Over time, the filter can become clogged resulting from an accumulation of debris. Because oil is so critical to the engine, most filters are designed with a separate bypass valve. If debris clogs the filter, the bypass valve engages and opens an alternative path for the unfiltered oil. This sudden opening can result in a drop in the pressure.
If you notice the low pressure warning light on your dash, have a mechanic diagnose and fix the problem as quickly as possible. Without sufficient oil pressure, your engine's moving parts cannot receive the lubrication they need to avoid excess heat. And that can lead to expensive repairs.
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