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hey guys, i have had my Z for a year and a half now and every time i get my oil changed ill make it about halfway through before the oil preassure gradually drops to zero, ive got plenty of oil, no leaks. First thought it was a bad sensor but i can hear the timing chain rattle slightly at low RPM when oil preassure reads too low. Everytime i change the oil itll go back to normal then revert back in about 1500 miles, help is appreciated!
Last edited by Sean Chipman; 12-27-2018 at 01:14 PM.
Reason: Add picture
Well you haven't mentioned what year model car you have, but your oil gallery gaskets have probably failed. Although, I'm not sure why it has dropped at consistently the same mileage as you mentioned. Has your low oil light came on during this time?
The fact that your pressure has dropped to zero several times, and you hear the timing chain rattle, tells me you have likely caused internal engine damage. Although this is just guesstimating, because you can't tell without looking at the engine physically.
At this point you can either continue to drive it as you have been and hope for the best. Or get ready for some expensive engine work/ replacement.
If you hear "rattling" in your engine and your oil pressure is zero, you probably have a significantly damaged engine. Actually I hope it is a defective oil pressure sensor because zero oil pressure ruins an engine in quick order.
Mine went the other way where the pressure gauge is always at max. As mentioned before if you are concerned about the rattling then I would definitely get it checked out or just replace the oil pressure sensor and see if the rattling is still there.
Yeah possibly, i dont think its the sensor, and i only heard the rattleing noise once, shut it off added oil and preassure went back up and it was fine, no rattleing. Cheched the oil for metal shavings and any signs of significant damage but didnt find anything, runs like a dream other than this weird issue
I was thinking the oil gulleys too however I think it would have consistantly low oil preassure if that was the case? Cause like i said the oil level is fine and it goes back to normal if I change the oil
From what ive looked up, the low oil preassure is causing slack in the timing chain which will cause it to slap the cover a little bit from what ive seen it isnt a big deal if it doesnt get too loose (which i always change the oil as before i hear that sound anyways) but that still doesnt explain where the oil is going or why its perfectly fine and then drops after 1500 miles
Do an oil pressure test with a known good sensor. They have loaners at most auto parts store. Once you do this you will rule out the sensor OR if pressure is unusually low (and the oil level reads correct) then these are the symptoms of a failed gallery gasket. DO NOT overfill the car. This will cause blue smoke and in extreme cases engine failure.
Have a mechanic pull out the oil pressure sending unit and check with an analog tool gauge. These are similar to a compression check gauge. That will rule out the possibility of a faulty sensor or step motor in the gauge pod. In terms of a little timing chain slap, I've found that this is pretty normal when *shutting off the engine* on my 06 Revup, even with the engine oil level topped off. I've chalked this up to the chain wearing over the years/miles adding a small amount of slack. If you hear the timing chain rattling while the engine is idling, that's not good.
-Icer
12-27-2018, 01:13 PM
Oil preassure issues
