Oil Light Mystery

[poppy_morenito]

the last few days my oil light keeps coming on when I come to a stop. I have more than enuff oil in the car. I checked 3 times. Any clue what this can be ? thanks ...

[T4 Primera]

Things it could be:

1. Oil pressure switch dirty and slightly shorting to earth (ground)
2. Oil pressure switch faulty
3. Low oil pressure due to
a) Clogged oil filter (when did you last change the filter)
b) Worn engine components.

[poppy_morenito]

Originally posted by T4 Primera
Things it could be:

1. Oil pressure switch dirty and slightly shorting to earth (ground)
2. Oil pressure switch faulty
3. Low oil pressure due to
a) Clogged oil filter (when did you last change the filter)
b) Worn engine components.

1) How do I troubleshoot number 1 and where is the switch
2) Same thing where is it and how do I get a new one ?
3) I have not change oil in a while so maybe this is it. It was iin the shop for a few weeks getting a head job and new ( ?) tranny. It does have a newer JDM spec engine in it so what parts could be worn ?

Thanks ....
PS the car does this weird thing it seems after it warm up I loose power. the car gets slower it's amost reversed solar powered or something ?

[T4 Primera]

PS the car does this weird thing it seems after it warm up I loose power. the car gets slower it's amost reversed solar powered or something ?

That does not sound good at all. I suggest changing the oil filter and checking the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before driving your car any further. Cut open the old oil filter to see what it has caught (if anything).

When I was young and clueless, I once had an engine that had both the hot power loss and oil light things going on. The power loss was due to partial seizing and it eventually chucked a conrod clean through the crankcase.

I sincerely hope this is not happening to you. If it is, you might still have a viable engine if you get it sorted quick. Hopefully it's something less serious although it pays to be sure.

Any overheating problems?
Was the head and tranny work done recently?
Has it been like this since the work was done?
before the work was done?
or not until a while after the work was done?

If the oil galleries were not cleaned out properly before reassembly (head gasket material etc.), that can cause oil pressure or oil starvation problems and/or block the oil filter. (I'm not sure if the Nissan oil system provides full bypass oiling when the filter gets blocked) Same thing with the water jacket holes which could also cause the hot power loss.

In answer to your other questions:

1) Oil filter housing - My engine is a high port and the AWD gearbox undeneath makes it difficult to even see let alone work on. Should be more accessible on your car.

2) I'm not sure if the J spec senders are the same as the US spec ones. If the switch is ok then it may be a mismatch between the JDM sender and the USM gauge. To find out compatibility see your dealership. Alternatively, if you still have the one from the original engine, compare the threads and fit the old one if threads are the same.

3) I have heard that engine oil can become acidic and corrode bearings over long periods of time. Your engine may have sat like this between being removed from the original vehicle and installed in yours.

Also, I've read that if the slightest bit of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor gets in the oil, it can turn it acidic. Since it has had a recent head job, sometimes less careful shops don't drain the coolant properly using all the bleeds and a little may slop into the oil galleries or cylinders.

Good luck !!

[G-Forces]

Originally posted by T4 Primera

When I was young and clueless, I once had an engine that had both the hot power loss and oil light things going on. The power loss was due to partial seizing and it eventually chucked a conrod clean through the crankcase.

I did the same thing to an old datsun p/u. Felt the same way, I didn't have an oil light but when I check the oil there was a glob of black oil on the end of the dip stick. I got an oil/filter change and it was fine. I got lucky and caught it early.

[poppy_morenito]

Originally posted by T4 Primera
PS the car does this weird thing it seems after it warm up I loose power. the car gets slower it's amost reversed solar powered or something ?

That does not sound good at all. I suggest changing the oil filter and checking the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before driving your car any further. Cut open the old oil filter to see what it has caught (if anything).

When I was young and clueless, I once had an engine that had both the hot power loss and oil light things going on. The power loss was due to partial seizing and it eventually chucked a conrod clean through the crankcase.

I sincerely hope this is not happening to you. If it is, you might still have a viable engine if you get it sorted quick. Hopefully it's something less serious although it pays to be sure.

Any overheating problems?
Was the head and tranny work done recently?
Has it been like this since the work was done?
before the work was done?
or not until a while after the work was done?

If the oil galleries were not cleaned out properly before reassembly (head gasket material etc.), that can cause oil pressure or oil starvation problems and/or block the oil filter. (I'm not sure if the Nissan oil system provides full bypass oiling when the filter gets blocked) Same thing with the water jacket holes which could also cause the hot power loss.

In answer to your other questions:

1) Oil filter housing - My engine is a high port and the AWD gearbox undeneath makes it difficult to even see let alone work on. Should be more accessible on your car.

2) I'm not sure if the J spec senders are the same as the US spec ones. If the switch is ok then it may be a mismatch between the JDM sender and the USM gauge. To find out compatibility see your dealership. Alternatively, if you still have the one from the original engine, compare the threads and fit the old one if threads are the same.

3) I have heard that engine oil can become acidic and corrode bearings over long periods of time. Your engine may have sat like this between being removed from the original vehicle and installed in yours.

Also, I've read that if the slightest bit of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor gets in the oil, it can turn it acidic. Since it has had a recent head job, sometimes less careful shops don't drain the coolant properly using all the bleeds and a little may slop into the oil galleries or cylinders.

Good luck !!

Oh God ... I am scared to death I just spent like $3000 one new tranny and head work on this car .. if an oil change does not fix this ... I will die and then come back to life and sell the car ... .. Oh God Please no !!!

I am going to tak it to Nissan? Infinity Specialist in the Area ....
thanks guys ...

[poppy_morenito]

Originally posted by T4 Primera
PS the car does this weird thing it seems after it warm up I loose power. the car gets slower it's amost reversed solar powered or something ?

That does not sound good at all. I suggest changing the oil filter and checking the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before driving your car any further. Cut open the old oil filter to see what it has caught (if anything).

When I was young and clueless, I once had an engine that had both the hot power loss and oil light things going on. The power loss was due to partial seizing and it eventually chucked a conrod clean through the crankcase.

I sincerely hope this is not happening to you. If it is, you might still have a viable engine if you get it sorted quick. Hopefully it's something less serious although it pays to be sure.

Any overheating problems?
Was the head and tranny work done recently?
Has it been like this since the work was done?
before the work was done?
or not until a while after the work was done?

If the oil galleries were not cleaned out properly before reassembly (head gasket material etc.), that can cause oil pressure or oil starvation problems and/or block the oil filter. (I'm not sure if the Nissan oil system provides full bypass oiling when the filter gets blocked) Same thing with the water jacket holes which could also cause the hot power loss.

In answer to your other questions:

1) Oil filter housing - My engine is a high port and the AWD gearbox undeneath makes it difficult to even see let alone work on. Should be more accessible on your car.

2) I'm not sure if the J spec senders are the same as the US spec ones. If the switch is ok then it may be a mismatch between the JDM sender and the USM gauge. To find out compatibility see your dealership. Alternatively, if you still have the one from the original engine, compare the threads and fit the old one if threads are the same.

3) I have heard that engine oil can become acidic and corrode bearings over long periods of time. Your engine may have sat like this between being removed from the original vehicle and installed in yours.

Also, I've read that if the slightest bit of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor gets in the oil, it can turn it acidic. Since it has had a recent head job, sometimes less careful shops don't drain the coolant properly using all the bleeds and a little may slop into the oil galleries or cylinders.

Good luck !!

I had overheating problem before the head work.
My tranny seemd to work fine likefor 15 minutes or till the car warms up then the shift from 1st to 2 seocnd is slow.

The car after getting the new engine but before the tranny started and ran flawlessly. After ward the engine hesistateas alot and I saw that tranny shop but in new plus and wire bright blue no name wires and who know what kind of plugs ... I brought tit back to them and I think they just reved up my idle becuase I still have problems going from nuetral to reverse ....it will cut off sometime.. I was hoping I just needed tune up with oribal wire and NKG plugs like goerge suggested ....

[poppy_morenito]

Hey George,

Can you weight in on this problem with your opinion ?

thanks

Shawn

[T4 Primera]

Hey Shawn,

Just in case I'm way off base on this, here's some info from the fault finding part of the Haynes manual for UK Primera.

Problem: Oil pressure warning light illuminated with engine running;
Low oil level
Faulty oil pressure sensor
Worn engine bearings and/or oil pump
High engine operating temperature
Oil pressure relief valve defective
Oil pickup strainer clogged

Problem: Engine lacks power;
Timing chains incorrectly fitted
Fuel filter choked
Fuel pump faulty, or delivery pressure low
Uneven or low cylinder compressions
Worn, faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plugs
Vacuum leak at the throttle body, inlet manifold or associated hoses
Blocked fuel injector/fuel injection system fault
Brakes binding
Clutch slipping (manual)

[poppy_morenito]

Thanks T4 .. I want to get as much information as possible before I go to a shop if I can not hook up with Andrea Miko .....

Thanks to everyone who as shared an opinion so far .... I want to keep this car .... but if I sink anymore more signicant dough ... It's History ...

[T4 Primera]

If your engine is idling slow then that may bring up the oil pressure warning light. Check you're idle speed.

I think it's definitely worth changing back to factory wires and standard NGKs. Why would a tranny shop mess around with ignition and idle anyway - trying to mask a tranny problem??? Sounds very suspect!!!

With regards to your tranny shifting problem, you may just need to change the filter inside the tranny oil pan. Read para. 2 & 3 of this:

http://www.se-r.net/transaxle_clutch/auto_lsd_info.html

After reading the Haynes manual thing about incorrect cam timing possibly causing power loss, I was wondering if you had the head planed? I remember someone saying that can retard your cams somewhat since the distance between crank and cam sprockets changes.

[poppy_morenito]

THANKS T4 -- The car is going to THE Z shop here in Miami tomorrow they are the best known Nissan Shop I could find. I hope to have not so bad news .... ( silent prayer )

[T4 Primera]

Best of luck! Be sure to let us know what they find.

[poppy_morenito]

Here are the no name wires the last place put in !!!!

[poppy_morenito]

When the oil light first kept coming on I just kept pouring more oil in ...

I think there may too much in there now .....