My daily, an 04 Mitsu Lancer Ralliart, has picked up an odd habbit.

At idle, the oil pressure dummy lick flickers on. The crankcase is full and the oil was just changed.
It seems to be idling a bit lower than normal, ~600-700 revs. When I touch the throttle, the light goes out. So, it seems that the low idle is related to the low oil pressure.

2 theories that I have come up with:

1. The engine oil was just changed at one of those quick lube places. It's against my morals, but I don't always have time to do it myself. Almost immediately after having the oil changed, I noticed the oil pressure light flickering on at idle. I don't know if I just didn't notice it before or if they are actually related. I've checked the oil level since, and it's a little above "FULL" with a hot engine. Could the crankcase be overfilled and somehow be causing the engine to idle low? Anything else the monkey who changed the oil could have berkeleyed up?

2. I've never had the valves adjusted. The car is just shy of 50k miles, I've owned it since 28. I know that they probably are due for an adjustment, but could this be the culprit?

Any other ideas that I haven't thought of. The warranty is due to expire at 50k miles. I hate bringing my cars to the dealer, but if this is a bigger problem than I think I'd rather have Mits foot the bill.

Thanks in advance.

 

hm... i've had that problem with the idle drop but never had a light...

Did they put the right type of oil in?

 

The 600-700 idle I'm pretty sure is normal. You need to take it in and have them hook up a pressure gauge that way you will know for sure whats going on with the pressure it could jsut be the sensor.

 

Yeah, that idle is definitely normal and no, not having your valves adjusted won't cause this. Have your oil pressure tested properly. Chances are that the sensor is going, but you need to check for sure. Normal idle pressure for our car is 4 or more PSI.

 

Your first thought is correct...its the oil...viscosity. The shops oil was likely thinner then what you had been running...like 10-30 vs 10-40, std vs synthetic..I had similar issues in another car of mine..Run a slightly heavier oil and problem solved..the oil light is triggered by pressure...in viscosity, increase in heat, oil breakdown due to age will all cause a slight drop in pressure.. change the oil, use a 10-40 or even a 10-50, 20-50 and you will be fine,..

 

yeah idle oil pressure is very low, the needle on my guages sits just on the red area at idle when hot. but jumps up when u start going

 

I threw in fresh 10w40 tonight and that seems to have cleared it up. The oil light isn't flickering at idle. Problem solved? Or should I bring it in to get checked out before my warranty is up?

 

I'd take it in and not risk it

 

How thin does the oil have to be to make the light flicker at idle? I run 0w-20 in my RA, and my light stays off at idle. I don't think quickie-lube places carry anything thinner than that.

Anyway, get the car in and have the oil pressure tested. It involves removing the pressure switch and screwing in the gauge, then running the car to read pressure.

Standard value:
At idle: 29 kPa (4.2 psi) or more
At 3,500 r/min: 294 - 686 kPa (43 - 100 psi)

 

Why would you run 0w-20 ? That's for Russian winters :-D

 

It gets fuggin cold up this way Though I only run as thin as 5w-20 in the winter.

 

I've never been below 5-30 w, but a friend bought 5-20 for his 06 Eclipse and it flickered...so, it should be the viscosity

P.S. The light doesnt light up if you overfill...most likely you will smell it when the flywheel's seal starts leaking

 

After 500 miles with the 10-40, the oil light came back on at idle when it gets hot.

Any ideas?

 

^^^

 

Just wondering if this was ever solved, I have the same problem although its not on every idle and it varies form slight flicker to intense flicker. Going to take it in anyways just looking for some other ideas.