How to check the oil pressure in the engine and what it should be
Engine oil in the engine is the working fluid, which protects parts from dry friction, cools heated surfaces. The oil also performs the function of cleaning, washes away pollution and neutralizes aggressive chemical compounds.
In the system of lubrication of the automobile internal combustion engine motor oil is supplied to the loaded elements under a certain pressure. The specified pressure is created by the oil pump. In this case, the deviation from the norm for this indicator to a greater or lesser extent is a malfunction.
In that case, if the oil pressure is low, the engine is subject to significant wear. High oil pressure leads to this, that there is a squeezing of epiploons, leaks of gaskets and seals appear, the lubricant is "thrown" into areas not intended for its location.
In this article, we intend to talk about it, which oil pressure at idle and under load is normal, for what reasons there can be a change of pressure and on what it depends, as well as how to find out the oil pressure in the engine.
Engine oil pressure sensor and oil pressure light bulb
Let's start with that, that many experienced motorists know, that the motor resource of the power unit directly depends on quality of oil and normal work of system of greasing. Moreover, oil pressure is an important indicator of the state of the internal combustion engine and even affects the overall safety during operation of the vehicle.
This is especially true in those cases, when it decreases, that is, the motor begins to experience oil starvation and may simply jam. If the engine jams in motion, this is considered an emergency, which can lead to accidents and other unforeseen consequences. This fact is well known to car manufacturers themselves.
For this reason, an emergency oil pressure light can be found on many cars. Such a light bulb is displayed on the dashboard. The specified lamp lights up in those cases, when the value falls below a certain mark. The control is carried out by means of the sensor of pressure of oil. A fire may also be accompanied by an audible signal.
It is important to understand, that such a light bulb may not light up even in cases of significant reduction in oil level in the engine, as well as then, when the pressure dropped, but such a reduction is not yet critical.
In other words, this indicator allows you to inform the driver and avoid only the most serious consequences. At the same time the oil bulb is not protection against intensive wear of the motor in those cases, when the driver does not monitor the level and properties of the oil in the system, as well as the general condition of the engine.
For this reason, car owners often ask questions about it, what is the oil pressure in the diesel engine or gasoline unit (regardless of brand, model and type of vehicle) is normal. Many are also interested, what should be the oil pressure on a cold engine.
Most often, this topic becomes relevant in cases, when the oil pressure light flashes at idle while warming up the engine. In other words, in all cases it is a question of necessary diagnostics of system of oil. Let's understand.
How to check the oil pressure in the engine
Verification may be required regardless, whether the car is equipped with a switch / digital indicator or output of pressure data on the instrument panel is not structurally provided.
Let's add, that an increasing number of modern cars today do not even have oil pressure bulbs. It turns out, it is not possible to visually check this figure and its changes in different modes of operation of the internal combustion engine without additional devices.
Let's move on. To understand, which estimate is considered the norm for a particular motor, the table of oil pressure in engines of this or that production is necessary. This information can be found in the manual, in special technical literature on repair and operation, on profile autoforums, etc..
We also recommend reading the article about it, why there may be no oil pressure in the engine. In this article you will learn about the main reasons, on ktor in the engine there is no pressure or oil pressure is low.
As already mentioned, the light bulb on the panel may be completely missing. At the same time, even its presence does not allow to accurately determine the desired indicator. Don't forget that, that there may also be malfunctions of the indicator itself (lamp burnout, malfunction of electrical wiring or oil pressure sensor).
Such malfunctions can occur at any time, at the same time the driver loses the ability to control the pressure in normal mode. Let's add, that for fast check of a lamp it is possible to include ignition on the not started engine. The oil light should be on. After starting the engine, the lamp goes out immediately or through 1-2 seconds. If the lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on, then there is a high probability of failure of the element.
- Let's go back to the test. To check the oil pressure, you need to have a special manometer.
- pay attention, for accuracy of measurements it is necessary to warm up the engine to working temperature in advance.
- Then the power unit must be stopped. Then detect the engine oil pressure sensor.
- Then the specified sensor is unscrewed, then the adapter from the manometer joins.
- You can then start the unit, then the oil pressure at idle is estimated.
- Now you need to press the accelerator pedal, raising the speed to medium and high, while recording the readings.
For many cars, this method is the optimal solution for measurements. Importantly, that the measuring device was serviceable, also when analyzing the readings should still take into account the possible error.
You can also use a digital meter (digital manometer with oil pressure sensor). The only thing, budget devices of little-known manufacturers have a large measurement error. The same statement is true in that case, when the car owner decides to install an additional digital oil pressure gauge in his car.
As for the indicators themselves, they may be different for different types of internal combustion engines (diesel, gasoline, producer, amount, power, number of cylinders, design features of a motor). Example, engine oil pressure 2109 will differ from the same figure on 16-valve engines Lada Priora, etc..
Given the above, it becomes clear, that the required data should be specified separately for each motor. If we talk about the average, at which the unit will work normally, then:
- in idle mode, the oil pressure on the warmed-up engine (oil temperature is close 80 degrees) should be close 2 there is (or 0.2 MPa);
- with increasing speed, the oil pressure should increase, at high speeds the figure should be from 4.5 to 6.5 there is;
Tips
so, regarding oil pressure, the reasons for its verification without other obvious reasons are the following signs:
- the engine began to run noisily, there was a knock of compensators (in the presence of) and other extraneous sounds;
- the driver notices, that the oil pressure light bulb periodically flashes in motion, blinks at idle, on a cold engine does not go out for a long time, etc..
Let's add, that frequent causes of reduced oil pressure in the oil system are the liquefaction of oil as a result of fuel or antifreeze entering the crankcase. If the oil level is elevated, noticeable appearance of foam or emulsion in the oil, while the level of antifreeze in the expansion tank has clearly fallen, then the problem is obvious.
Also the engine needs diagnostics then, when there is a distinct smell of fuel in the oil. That says it all, that the fuel from the combustion chamber in excess enters the oil through the piston rings. Such faults are serious and need to be rectified immediately.
The possibility of using an engine that is unsuitable for the engine or has lost its properties should not be ruled out. In the first case, the lubricant may not be suitable for the engine in terms of viscosity index, that does not meet the recommended tolerances of the engine manufacturer, to be incorrectly selected taking into account seasonality (the so-called summer and winter oil).
In these cases, the oil is able to dilute as much as possible, and thicken, not allowing to achieve the desired pressure in the cold and / or hot motor. Also, the oil pressure may be unstable with respect to idling only or when driving under load..
We also recommend reading the article about it, why the oil pressure light bulb may be idling at idle speed. In this article you will learn about the main reasons, on which there is a fire of an emergency lamp of pressure of oil on ХХ, as well as ways to check and troubleshoot.
Let's add, that the pressure in the lubrication system drops in that case, if you have problems with CSM (example, damaged crankshaft necks or liners). Also, the right pressure may not be due to that, failing or reduced oil pump performance, there is a blockage of the channels of the lubrication system with dirt and deposits, the oil receiver grid is clogged, etc..
It is mandatory to check the oil level in the light of the above before measuring the pressure, his condition. It is also necessary to take into account the general condition of the internal combustion engine, serviceability of its components, purity of the oil system.
Finally, note, that only the type of oil recommended for the engine must be used, and also to carry out the correct selection of lubricant taking into account individual features and conditions of operation of the car.
At the same time, timely scheduled oil change together with the oil filter is shown, which allows you to significantly increase the service life of the power unit before overhaul.
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