What Causes Low Oil Pressure?
2 Answers
Low oil pressure can be caused by: 1. Insufficient engine oil level, resulting in inadequate lubrication; 2. Dirty or overly viscous oil preventing proper circulation by the oil pump; 3. Overly thin oil due to dilution or high engine temperature, causing leaks through engine bearing clearances; 4. Oil pipe leaks, damaged oil pump, or excessive component wear; 5. Excessive clearance between crankshaft and bearings; 6. Faulty pressure relief valve due to weak springs, sticking, or damaged components; 7. Malfunctioning oil pressure sensor, gauge, or electrical circuit.
Last week, the oil pressure light in my car suddenly came on, which scared me into stopping immediately to check. A friend said that insufficient oil level is a common cause, possibly due to an oil pan leak or not adding oil for too long; if the oil pump is broken and can't pump oil, the pressure will be low; a clogged oil filter can also increase resistance and affect oil flow; excessive internal engine wear, such as widened crankshaft bearing clearance, can cause oil to leak faster; additionally, the sensor might occasionally give false alarms. It needs to be repaired promptly; otherwise, the engine could suffer severe damage, leading to costly repairs. I make it a habit to check the oil level and condition every three months, using the oil type recommended by the manufacturer to avoid oil that's too thin and lacks sufficient viscosity.
