Low Oil Pressure Warning

A low oil pressure warning light or on-dash message is becoming a more frequent complaint from owners of many late model gasoline powered vehicles, especially those with engines fitted with solenoid controlled valve lifter systems. These types of engine first started appearing around 2005.

What causes a low oil pressure warning

In an attempt to eliminate the low oil pressure warning signal, some technicians have replaced the oil pressure sensor. Often times this procedure has not yielded positive results, and the warning signal remains activated.

​Also, the oil and oil filter are changed in an attempt to solve the problem. Sometimes, multiple oil filters are changed out in the hope that a different brand of filter may deactivate the warning signal! When this doesn’t solve the problem, the assumption is that problems must exist within the oil pump itself, or even worse, serious engine related problems are to blame.

An overlooked element of some of these types of engines is a small filter screen that is positioned beneath the oil pressure sensor. It has been found to often be heavily sludged, consequently restricting the oil supply to the oil pressure sensor. This is what causes the warning signal to activate. The purpose of the filter screen is to control the amount of contaminants that are in the oil that flow through and activate the valve lifter hydraulic system, including actuator solenoids.

Fortunately, this filter screen can be removed, cleaned (or replaced with a new part) and refitted – though it is not a job for the novice DIY mechanic, and is time consuming. But… the underlying problem is not addressed. In a short period of time, sludge will again clog the filter screen.

The problems of extended oil drain intervals

All this draws us to consider the root cause of the problem – sludge build up within the crankcase and bulky contaminants circulated through the oil supply system. Manufacturers of many modern passenger car and light truck engines recommend extended oil drain intervals – 12,000 to 15,000 miles is not uncommon.

It’s almost impossible for these engines to operate for such extended intervals without forming sludge in the lubricating system. Compound that with forgetfulness, or negligence (missed oil changes), and major engine trouble is just around the corner. Regardless of what the manufacturers promote as low ongoing maintenance costs, the oils currently used apparently are not up to the task of keeping sludge and other contaminants under control when subjected to the extended oil drain intervals.

The solution to this problem is to use Flushing Oil Concentrate at every oil change. Flushing Oil Concentrate safely dissolves and suspends all sludge deposits (even the hard, baked-on type) within the engine. Wherever the lubricating oil touches, the specially formulated, extremely effective detergents (not abrasive and corrosive solvents) of Flushing Oil Concentrate act to effectively break down, dissolve, and suspend damaging deposits, allowing them to be drained out with the oil at time of oil change.

This important procedure restores the internal engine components to pristine cleanliness, allowing the new oil to work effectively throughout the whole lubricating system. Existing sludge, which has built up over the life of the engine and has clogged filter screens, oil galleries, oil pump pressure regulating valves and piston oil-control rings is effectively removed. Using Flushing Oil Concentrate at every oil change, modern vehicle or not, is a very small cost compared to the costs of engine damage due to inadequate lubrication caused by sludge and other contaminants in the engine oil.

For detailed information on how to achieve the best result using Flushing Oil Concentrate, click HERE.