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    #1

    Oil Pressure Issues

    My idiot light is lightly flickering at idle and sometimes stays lit..but not fully bright. Under revs or in gear the oil pressure light turns off almost immediately. I just changed the oil, and I forget but it should have been 15w30....I searched and found thinner oil will make the light come on, or a worn pump is a possibility.

    I have a feeling the thinner oil is doing this? Also when I tap on the dash since I have yet to refresh my bulbs and temp gauge nut, the indicator lights turn off/on.

    Engine has 144k on it.

    Should I test my oil pressure? is there an oil pressure sensor that can be bad? I dont have the tools, (I think) to put a new pump in. I am moving to a new house in a week or two so this needs to be taken care of especially since I like my motor the way it runs now. What are my options? Any help asap would be greatly appreciated.

    Also may be related, I have what I think to be, an on its way out dme relay since my indicator lights turn off after reving my motor for a second.
    Tags: None
    #2
    is 12617568480 correct for the oil pressure switch? I think I found the right number.


    I decided Im putting heavier 20w50 in it this weekend no matter what.
    Last edited by BergerNJ; 08-10-2011, 09:59 PM.

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      #3
      lighter weight oil translates to less oil pressure.

      a general rule is 7psi for every 1k of RPM. The switch I think should be 7psi. at idle, I won't mind the idiot light blinking on and off, but you'd better believe that 15w-30 is too thin for these motors and hot weather. Generally you should use the lightest weight oil you can without going too low in oil pressure. You're right on the edge. Don't do any hard driving until you get heavier oil or you could potentially risk doing damage to internal components.

      put some mobil1 15w-50 in it. it's what I run year round.
      '84 318i M10B18 147- Safari Beige
      NA: 93whp/90ftlbs, MS2E w/ LC, 2-Step
      Turbo: 221whp/214ftlbs, MS3x flex @ 17psi

      Comment

        #4
        ya, I use to run 10w40 and in the summer it was just to lite. I now run 20w50. I did have to replace my main bearings at 243,000 miles because I had no oil pressure.



        Andy

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          #5
          yea Im changing to 20w50 this weekend. I just ordered the op switch and some other various items I need anyways. If that does the trick then awesome. If not then its oil pump time, Im almost positive my mains are good to go as well as everything else.

          I will post results for future searchers and anyone else who read this thread with any interest.

          Comment

            #6
            M20s are 20/50w oil motors from the factory. I use 20/50w Valvoline VR-1 oil in my M20B28 motor which only has 1500 miles.
            1988 E30 335i - 1987 E30 327i - 1987 E30 327iS Pickup - 1973 2002 Project

            Visit www.BimmerHeads.com for all of your 12 valve needs!

            Comment

              #7
              I tend to think you have low oil pressure due to a worn bottom end, replacing the pump really isn't that hard but you do have to drop the pan to get at it. Despite the fact that you are running oil that is too thin that light shouldn't be flickering IMO.

              '89 Alpine S52 with goodies

              Comment

                #8
                its possible that the oil pump pressure relief valve bore is worn or the piston is stuck. Bmw put a small hole in the pump discharge to bleed air off at startup, however this can cause slight bleed off at low idle possibly causing your light flickering. you can plug the hole which will raise idle oil pressure. Check out Metric mechanic.com oil pump section. very informative

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