Ok, I got an low oil pressure light about a month ago. Oddly enough I changed the oil and it went away. It came back on 2 weeks ago so I decided to replace the oil pressure switch on the driver side of the motor. And the light went away for about another week , well you guessed it.......it came back on.. Any suggestions?

 

The way I was taught when oil pressure was involved was to connect a good quality oil pressure gauge to the engine.One could use a 'T' to thread into the block and then connect the oil pressure switch and oil pressure gauge.

You want to confirm oil pressure is good. If it is good the problem is likely a bad oil pressure switch or bad wiring to the oil pressure switch. This can include the wiring harness.

If the oil pressure is not good that's not good and you need to figure out why it is low and address that. Could be from a really worn bearing (or several). A worn out pump. A stuck pressure bypass valve. A stuck open piston oil jet valve. In some cars if the oil pressure drops too low the oil feed to the piston jets is cut off to ensure sufficient oil pressure to the crank/rod bearings, and camshaft bearings. If this valve doesn't work the piston oil jets bleed critical oil pressure/supply from the crank main and rod and camshaft bearings.

An internal oil leak from a high pressure oil galley to a low pressure area -- anywhere in the crankcase or head is such a low pressure area -- can have oil pressure low.

First though determine if the oil pressure is good or not good.

What is good? Well, with other cars I've relied on oil pressure info supplied by the factory. For instance something like 6.5 bar (94psi) at 90C and 5000 RPMs. Generally idle oil pressure isn't given but at hot idle it wants to be around 1 bar (14psi) at least. My experience is hot idle oil pressure is closer to 2 bar (29psi) (Porsche Turbo) and can even be 3 bar (43psi) (Dodge Hellcat). But at least high enough to keep the low oil pressure light from coming on. These are generally set to come on at a pretty low pressure. A WAG is maybe 0.5 bar (7psi).

 

RockC is correct - the light senses oil pressure, not oil level.
Did you change the filter? Try a slightly heavier oil?
But get a real oil pressure check done. I understand the switch operates at around 5 lbs psi - pressure should be 50 lbs psi or better at normal speeds.

 

I guess I should say that it only shows up when I slow down to a stop if that means anything and then goes away as I accelerate.

 

This happened to me when I was dangerously low on oil, like less than 2 quarts. Check oil level again. What oil are you using? You replaced the oil sensor for the head? What brand, OEM? Did you use threading tape?

 

Tom & Kupona
To repeat - it is an oil pressure, not level, sensor.
You can have plenty of oil, but if the pressure is low you may say goodbye to the engine. The sensor is doing exactly what it is designed to do.
A fresh filter & a heavier oil, say 5/30 or 10/40, will help a worn engine for many miles.
MINIs love their oil! Check it often.

 

The oil pump puts out more pressure when it spins faster. Thicker oil the way to go unless you want to do a deep dive into the engine.

 

So 10w40 is recommended thicker oil?

BTW: i appreciate everyone's reply and suggestions!!

 

Yes!

 

RockC was right on with his first suggestion and it seems to me to are passing by it. You want to verify oil pressure with a dedicated gauge. Get one from Amazon and install. Your engine may be self destructing soon, even with a higher weight oil.