Oil pressure is vital for the proper functioning of a vehicle’s engine and its components. If it drops to a low level, it can cause damage to the engine and result in costly repairs.
Many vehicle owners experience low oil pressure at idle. The problem can occur for various reasons, including poor car maintenance, low oil level, clogged oil filter, faulty oil pressure sensor, or worn-out oil pump.
Left untreated, low oil pressure at idle can result in severe engine damage. It is, therefore, important to identify the root cause of the problem and address it as soon as possible.
In this post, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and fixes for low oil pressure at idle to help you keep your engine in the best working condition.
What is the Meaning of Low Oil Pressure at Idle?
Low oil pressure at idle simply means the engine is low on oil when the vehicle is idling. And if the oil pressure is low, the engine is not getting enough oil. If left untreated, this can lead to increased friction, heat build, and engine damage.
Possible Causes of Low Oil Pressure at Idle
Low oil pressure at idle is a sign of potential engine problems. Understanding the causes of this issue can help you diagnose and solve it to prevent further engine damage.
Here are the seven possible causes of low oil pressure at idle:
1. Low Oil Level
When the oil level in your vehicle’s engine is low, the oil pump has to work harder to maintain the proper oil pressure. This can cause it to run at a lower pressure than normal when idle.
Additionally, less oil in the engine may not be enough to lubricate all moving parts. This can increase friction, heat buildup, and additional engine components wear.
2. Faulty Oil Pump
An oil pump is responsible for circulating oil through the engine. It draws oil from the oil sump and pumps it through the engine to lubricate the moving parts.
If the pump is faulty, it may not maintain the appropriate oil pressure at idle. For instance, if the pump has damaged internal components such as gears, its ability to pump oil may be reduced.
Alternatively, the pump can have a clogged pickup tube restricting oil flow. Such cases may cause reduced oil pressure at idle.
3. Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor
If the oil pressure sensor is faulty, it may provide inaccurate readings to the gauge cluster or the engine’s control module.
The sensor may send a signal showing that the oil pressure is normal when it is low. In this case, the engine control module will not activate the oil pressure warning light.
As a result, no corrective action will be taken, which may lead to low oil pressure at idle.
A faulty oil pressure sensor may also signal that the pressure is low when it is normal. This will lead to a corrective action to increase the pressure when it is unnecessary.
4. Worn or Damaged Engine Bearings
Engine bearings act as a barrier that prevents oil from leaking out of the engine’s oil system. But over time, they can become worn or damaged due to overheating or normal wear and tear.
When the bearings become damaged, oil can leak from the engine. If there is a leak, less oil will be available to circulate through the engine, leading to low oil pressure at idle.
5. Low Oil Viscosity
Low-viscosity oil is thin and flows easily. Therefore, when the engine operates at idle, the oil can flow through the engine’s components faster and with less resistance. This results in less pressure buildup.
At idle, the engine does not generate as much oil pressure as it does running at higher RPMs.
When working with low-viscosity oil, the pressure will drop as it cannot build enough resistance to the oil pump’s impeller. This results in low oil pressure.
6. Clogged Oil Filter
If the oil filter is clogged with dirt, it can restrict the oil flow through the engine leading to a drop in oil pressure at idle.
Low oil pressure can cause several engine problems, like damage to the engine components.
7. Contaminated Oil
Contaminate oil can lower the oil pressure at idle by clogging the engine’s oil passages. These contaminants include dust, dirt, debris, and other particles that might accumulate in the oil over time.
At idle, the engine runs at low RPM, meaning that the oil pump also turns at a lower speed. If the oil passages are blocked because of dirty oil, the pump may not move enough oil to maintain proper pressure through the engine. This may result in low oil pressure at idle.
How to Fix Low Oil Pressure at Idle
Fixing the causes of low oil pressure at idle helps ensure the engine is well lubricated. It is also essential to warrant that all engine components work as required.
If a low oil level causes the issue, you just need to add more oil to the oil pump. Use a dipstick to check whether the oil is enough.
Where a faulty oil pump causes the problem, the only solution is to replace the pump with a new one. The process can be difficult and time-consuming, requiring the removal of the oil pan first.
After removing the oil pan, accessing and replacing the pump becomes easy. And while at it, it is also a great idea to inspect other parts like the bearings, oil filter, and pressure relief valve. Replace them if worn-out or damaged, as they could also contribute to the low oil pressure.
If a low-viscosity oil leads to low oil pressure at idle, you need to change it. However, you need to consult the manufacturer’s manual or a qualified mechanic to determine the best oil viscosity for your vehicle.
Replacing a clogged oil filter is easy if you are skilled in DIY. In fact, you should change the oil filter with every oil change. This way, you won’t have to worry about a clogged oil filter causing low oil pressure at all.
If dirty oil is the reason for the low oil pressure at idle, drain it out and refill the engine with clean oil of the correct viscosity.
How do I increase low oil pressure at idle?
You can increase low oil pressure at idle by:
- Ensuring that your engine’s oil level is at the recommended point,
- Using the correct oil viscosity,
- Replacing the oil filter if it is clogged,
- Replacing the oil pump if worn or damaged,
- Using clean oil in your engine,
- Cleaning the oil passages by flushing the engine or with an engine oil cleaner.
Why does oil pressure drop at idle when the engine is warm?
When the engine is warm, the oil may become thinner and have a lower viscosity. This can result in low pressure at idle.
Additionally, a faulty oil pump may be unable to maintain proper oil pressure, especially when the engine is warm.
What causes low oil pressure at idle when the engine is cold?
When the engine is cold, the oil can become thicker (higher viscosity) and cause low oil pressure at idle. This is because thick oil is harder to pump.
Also, a worn oil pump could be the reason for low oil pressure at idle. A worn or damaged oil pump is less effective at pumping oil throughout the engine, especially when the engine is cold.
What causes low oil pressure at idle after an oil change?
There are several reasons why you might experience low oil pressure at idle after changing your engine oil, including air bubbles in the system, wrong oil type, oil pump problems, and faulty oil pressure sensors.
Clogged oil passages can also cause low oil pressure after an oil change.
If you experience low oil pressure at idle after an oil change, consider taking the vehicle to a professional mechanic for diagnosis and repair.
What causes low oil pressure at idle and ticking noise?
A ticking sound in the engine is caused by a lack of proper lubrication, where the moving parts do not have enough oil for seamless movement.
If you are experiencing low oil pressure and ticking noise in your vehicle, it could be because of a low oil level.
Check the oil level in your engine with a dipstick and refill it if needed.
