Hello everyone I need some expert opinions asap!!!!.
This morning while doing about 65mph on freeway the oil light came on!
I pulled over and checked oil -it's fine. Just had it changed at dealer last week. Engine runs smooth -no issues . I took it to dealer they had it all day checked it out no visual problems but I have to bring it back tomorrow because the told me they need a speacial adaptor to fully diagnose it. Can someone give me ideas on what to expect before they try to hose me!!
It's a 98 4Runner Limited 133000 miles on clock

 

You need to make sure that you have oil pressure. You can hook up a pressure gauge or you can just replace the oil sending unit. If you do have pressure then the oil sending unit is probably bad.

 

Ditto

 

Is the sending unit big bucks?

 

No.

I guess really depends on your definition of big bucks. Aftermarket is pdc, pretty darn cheap.

 

I have a good one I can sell you. OEM.

 

The sending unit is definately not big bucks.

The alternative is definately big bucks. HUGE BUCKS.

 

i laughed...out loud. thank you!

 

Ok I'm going to get my lumps on this but here it is: Dealership changed oil sending unit but not 100% sure it was the cause of light coming on. Anyways the total was $168.00 Cnd.
Oil pressure readings were:8.1psi at idle and 20-30psi at 3000 rpm
Does that sound normal?

 

Straight from FSM

3. REMOVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH
Using SST, remove the oil pressure switch.
SST 09816–30010
4. INSTALL OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
5. WARM UP ENGINE
Allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature.
6. CHECK OIL PRESSURE
Oil pressure:
at idle 29 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi) or more
at 3,000 rpm 245 – 520 kPa (2.5 – 5.3 kgf/cm2, 36 – 75 psi)

Looks like you may be a little low at 3k rpm, but this can be dependent on oil condition,oil weight and I would imagine filter condition may affect your results too. I use 5w-20 Syntec blend and would expect a lower number if I checked my pressure. My '77 Jeep holds about 60psi, but I use 20w-50 oil in it to get it there. 10w-30 results in lower pressure. Without a gauge, I would probably stick to 10w-30(in my Jeep) and never think twice of it.

 

Oil change was done 2weeks ago at dealer, hmmm I wonder if they put on the right filter?, so you are suggesting to switch to 10w30?

 

No, not suggesting. Just saying heavier weights can increase oil pressure. On the other hand, heavier oil may not flow at a high enough rate to do the job. I work in a Ford service dept. and I can honestly say I would probably stick to a weight close to manufacturers specs. I would, however, use the best oil I could afford to use if I thought I was having a problem with oil pressure. A heavier oil isn't going to necessarily provide better lubrication, although it will show you higher oil pressure. I used my Jeep as an example, but it is a '77 model and the heavier weight is probably beneficial in this application. I hope I'm not confusing you.

 

point well taken, thanks for the advice!

 

If the oil is HOT during this check, then yes it's normal and perfectly acceptable.

If the oil was COLD during this check, you have low oil pressure, which is often caused by excessive bearing clearances. This would be very labour intensive to repair.

If it were my car, I'd run a synthetic 10w30 and see what happens. If the oil light doesn't come on anymore when the oil is HOT HOT HOT then just keep on truckin.

 

I run 0W30. At cold start its around 75 psi. Once warm on the freeway (2200 rpm or so) between 45-50 rpm.