What Does Engine Oil Pressure Failure Mean?
2 Answers
Engine oil pressure failure can be caused by the following reasons: 1. Insufficient oil volume: If the oil volume is insufficient, the oil pump's pumping capacity will decrease or fail to pump oil due to air intake, leading to a drop in oil pressure. This results in increased wear on the crankshaft and bearings, as well as the cylinder liners and pistons due to poor lubrication. 2. Oil pump failure: If the oil pump drive gear and drive shaft key are damaged or detached, or if the oil suction screen is broken, allowing debris to enter the oil pump and jam the gears, the oil pump will stop working, causing the oil pressure to drop to zero. 3. Oil pump wear: Excessive wear in the clearance between the oil pump shaft and bushing, the gear end face and pump cover, or the side and radial clearances of the gears can reduce the pump's oil output, leading to a drop in oil pressure. 4. Engine overheating: Excessive scale in the engine cooling system, poor heat dissipation, prolonged overload operation, or delayed fuel injection timing can cause the engine to overheat. This accelerates the aging, degradation, and thinning of the oil, causing it to leak from various clearances and reducing pressure. 5. Increased clearance in main and connecting rod bearings: Long-term use of the engine gradually increases the clearance between the main crankshaft and connecting rod bearings, increasing leakage and reducing oil pressure. 6. Bypass valve failure: The bypass valve is designed to maintain normal oil pressure in the main oil passage. If its pressure-regulating spring weakens or is improperly adjusted, or if the valve seat and ball sealing surface are worn or stuck, preventing proper closure, the return oil volume increases, causing the main oil passage pressure to drop.
I just experienced this malfunction - a red oil can indicator suddenly lit up on the dashboard. This is no small matter, it indicates insufficient oil supply in the engine lubrication system. The most common causes are low oil level (possibly due to leaks or oil burning), a failing oil pump that can't circulate oil properly, or using inferior oil with incorrect viscosity. The worst-case scenario is bearing wear - last time it happened to me, excessive bearing clearance caused pressure loss. I heard a distinct knocking sound from the engine, and the mechanic said running it for another half hour could have caused cylinder scoring. Immediate shutdown and towing is recommended. Try changing the oil and flushing the system first - if that doesn't work, engine disassembly for inspection will be necessary.
