You may have never heard of an oil pressure sensor before. Or, maybe you have but have no idea what it is or how it works.
In this guide, we not only aim to inform you about what an oil pressure sensor is but also to point out some of the symptoms of a faulty sensor.
What is an Oil Pressure Sensor?
Oil Pressure Sensor
Most modern cars have an oil pressure sensor installed somewhere on the engine block. This sensor allows the vehicle’s ECU to determine the operating pressure of the oil in the engine – yes, you guessed it.
This enables the engine to passively monitor whether the oil system is losing pressure. If, for any reason, your engine loses its oil pressure, it can cause significant damage to the rest of your engine, which is the main reason it is constantly monitored.
Pressure is created by your vehicle’s oil pump, which simply lifts engine oil from your oil pan to your engine head to cool and lubricate the various engine components. If the oil pressure drops, your engine is no longer able to stay lubricated or cooled effectively and can lead to components seizing, causing irreversible damage and a hefty bill.
This is the main reason why your oil pressure is constantly monitored. So, as soon as your oil pressure light comes on, turn off the engine and do not restart it until it has been repaired. By doing this, you will prevent further damage.
Symptoms of a Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor
Your oil pressure sensor is therefore a crucial component of your engine. So, how do you know if it is faulty and no longer working?
The most common symptoms of a bad oil pressure sensor are the oil pressure warning light, a noisy engine, and oil leaking from the sensor.
Here is a more detailed list of the symptoms of a bad oil pressure sensor.
1. Oil Pressure Light on the Dashboard
One of the most common symptoms of a faulty oil pressure sensor is your oil pressure light coming on on your dashboard. This light is activated when your oil pressure sensor detects low oil pressure or high oil pressure and then sends a signal to your ECU, which in turn sends a signal to your dashboard, turning on your oil light.
In theory, that’s how it works. However, if your sensor is faulty, it will turn on the oil light even if the oil pressure is correct.
The easiest way to determine this fault is to manually check your oil pressure with a pressure gauge. If your oil pressure is normal, it would indicate a faulty sensor. Another method to diagnose this fault is to use an error code reader and see if there are any faults stored in your vehicle’s ECU regarding your oil pressure sensor.
2. Noisy Timing Chain and Engine
If your engine has an oil-fed timing chain, it is even more important to have the correct oil pressure. This is because your chain uses the oil pumped from your oil pump to keep itself lubricated and move freely. The tensioners that hold the chain tension in place are also often oil-fed, which is another reason why maintaining oil pressure is vital.
If your engine’s oil pressure drops, it can cause your chain tensioners to loosen, leaving you with a loose chain that whips and is thrown against the various pulleys and covers. This is usually audible when you stand next to the vehicle while the engine is idling. It will sound like a deep metallic rattling noise coming from your engine block.
If you can hear this from your engine and your oil light has not come on, it could be a sign of a faulty oil pressure sensor. If your chain has lost its tension due to a lack of oil pressure and your oil light has not come on on your dashboard, after performing the necessary repairs on your engine to fix the chain issue, it is important to replace the oil pressure sensor as well.
You may also experience other noisy engine parts if your oil pressure is low.
3. Oil Leak from the Oil Pressure Sensor
Your oil pressure sensor is designed to sit in your car’s oil system so it can detect oil pressure. However, this can sometimes lead to an oil leak from the oil pressure sensor, either through the threads or through the center of the sensor itself.
Vauxhalls are known to have this as a common issue on some of their models, where the oil pressure sensor leaks oil through the center of its body, filling the connector block and spraying oil into the engine compartment.
You can easily diagnose this fault by checking for oil leaks around the pressure sensor, remove the connector block from the sensor to check inside for oil, if you find oil in any of these places, you will need to replace your sensor. You can also visually inspect the sensor while the engine is idling and ensure there is no sign of oil leaking from the sensor body.
The exact location of your oil pressure sensor may vary depending on your make, model, and engine.
The oil pressure sensor is often located in the engine block near the bottom of the cylinder head. But it can also be installed on the cylinder head. It will have a connector block attached to it and will have 1 or 2 thin wires attached.
Conclusion
Due to the simple design of the oil sensor, they tend to be quite cheap to pick up and easy to replace. Just be careful when replacing the sensor that you watch for oil leaks when removing the sensor from the engine block. Be careful not to overtighten your new sensor, as this can be done easily.
Whenever you work on any part of your engine that contains oil, it is always best to wear gloves to protect your skin from the harmful chemicals incorporated into the oil. Additionally, once the work is completed, check your oil level with your vehicle sitting on a flat and level surface and top up if necessary.