Miata Mailing List: July 1996, Message #173
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   From: dans@dmscomp.com (Dan Scolnick)
Subject: Re: Low oil pressure.....
   Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 16:27:48 -0400

>Hello everyone:
>
>  This may not be the best time to post a question here on the net, since
>many people are going to the Miata 96 event, but here's the question anyways.
> I recently been experiencing very low oil pressure at a warm idle.
> (10-12PSI with a manual guage).

        That may not be very low oil pressure.  What is the oil pressure at
1000rpm, and at 3000 rpm?





>I brought my car in to the local dealer and
>had them check the problem.  The only thing they could come up with is the
>the low oil pressure could be caused by worn engine bearings.  I'm not
>mechanic, but wouldn't worn bearing make a distinct noise??

they make a mettalic rapping/scraping noise or rattle when the engine is
first started up dead cold before the oil pressure comes up.  Don't mistake
the lifter tap for a bearing noise.  Once you hear a worn bearing, or worse
a spun bearing you'll not only never forget it, but you can't mistake it for
anything else.  You can't ignore it.  Worn Bearings may not make any noise
once the pressure is up.


>My engine idles
>smoothly with no "unusual" sounds coming from it.
>


>Can an oil pump go gradually??

Oil pumps are usually the best lubed part of the engine.  If the oil is
contaminated it is not unusual for the inside of the pump to be scored and
look like bearings.  Other things on or around the pump can clog or fail or
leak like the pressure relief valve and the pickup.


>Thanks in advance,
>
>Kevin Lemire P729LWS@aol.com
>'90 Mariner R
>MCA--Granite Chapter
>
>
>
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