Brad in Montana

Hello all,

I have a 97 4Runner SR5 with an oil light that has recently started to blink intermittently. I took it to our local Toyota dealer (the only place in Helena that seems to work on Toyotas) and they claim not to be able to diagnose the problem. We replaced the sending unit first. That didn't do it. We changed the oil and replaced the aftermarket oil filter I bought with a Toyota Oil filter and the problem went away for 60 days. Now it's back.

They claim they cannot test the oil pressure without 12 hours of labor - $1200-ish. Is there a way to test pressure without going all the way in?

If it is oil leaking through the bearing clearance, the engine is shot - right? Lots of questions. Thanks for any support you can offer.

The outside of the vehicle is very, very nice, but I don't think I can swallow their $9,000 for a new engine at this point. The current engine has about 129,000 on it.

Thanks again!

turborich

you can test the oil pressure for $10 bucks & 30 minutes of time. That dealer sounds like a nut job to me. Go buy a cheap manual oil pressure gauge at autozone or harbor freight tools ($10-$15 bucks tops) unscrew the sending unit & install the fitting for the manual gauge & hook it up. let the engine run for a good 20-30 minutes so it's hot. check your oil pressure & see what it is at idle & 2500 RPM's. then you can either leave the new gauge on or put the factory one back. let us know the results!

abecedarian

1200 to check oil pressure? What kind of hourly rate are they charging? 1200 an hour? Well it only takes an hour tops to remove the sender and install a test gauge so them charging 100 an hour and 12 hours for a one hour job is rediculous.
I could rebuild my whole engine for less than that.

And mentioned you could install a mechanical gauge for less than 20 or you could install an electrical oil pressure gauge for less than 50.

But anyhow, what weight oil are you using?

Brad in Montana

Thanks folks - you have reawakened the sleeping shade tree mechanic in me. I grew up driving old Fords - I should have remembered that "training" but this is the first Toyota I have owned and I have only had it for a few months.

I'll bring the Runner home and plan to put a gauge on it to see if the pump is failing. Any suggestions for a good 4Runner mechanical book. Chilton's?

Thanks again!

Brad

Brad in Montana

Sorry forgot to answer this - I use 5w30 Mobil one. Suggestions?

Brad