oil pressure light at idle

[Mutant]

Hello!

I'm running a 95 Buick Lesabre with a Series 1 V6 3800 with about 175K on the odometer. Car generally runs well and is well maintained with regular oil changes every 3-4K.

I ran a bottle of Auto-RX through it a few months ago and around 1600mi into the rinse phase the oil pressure light would flicker at idle when the engine is warmed up and stopped at a light in drive. When I shift out of gear into park or neutral it seems the idle comes up slightly (of course) and the oil pressure light quits flickering. I finished the rinse phase and am a few hundred miles into the second bottle treatment of Auto-RX and the oil light still flickers. I recently noticed that occasionally the oil light will come on when turning or braking hard. Oh ya, the oil is full up

First, I am not blaming Auto-RX for this 'problem' (that is, if it's anything to worry about) but am trying to get clued in to what is happening e.g. is it a result of the cleaning process, some mechanical problem, etc. On the plus side, the top end power over 80mph has increased a fair amount (seat of the pants est.) and the car quit leaking a little oil at the rear seal. About the same time I started the first Auto-RX treatment I also started using Fuel Power to the gas every fill up.

I dont think this is related but at the beginning of the year (roughly 8K ago) I has the transmission and radiator 'power flushed'.

Thanks for any suggestions. The car seems to run great but I hate to see the silly oil light go.. maybe some duct tape is in order?

Kind regards

 

[Gary Allan]

This is not an uncommon symptom. It usually cures itself ..but some have had to change the sender. The only thing that makes my wonder with yours is the braking and other G-force events.

If you don't hear any lifter noise that tracks the flickering then I'd say the sender is having issues with the clean up.

It may correct itself in due time ..but some have opted to replace the sender.

 

[Curious Kid]

Though I have never experienced any trouble with an oil pressure sender, unless it's a coincidental event, than I wonder if the clean-up may be leaving one to realize the need for a slightly heavier oil.

In the mean time, I think it'll be a good idea to replace the sender. If I recall these switches trigger at anywhere fro 7-10 psi., and unless the engine is run rather hot by say extended high speed operation or towing, then I'd be more concerned than to simply opt to block the sight of the telling low pressure warning light.

That's just my opinion.

 

[Mutant]

Thanks for the suggestions! The sound from the lifters has changed through the cleanup but all-in-all it has become quieter. The only engine phenomenon that seems to track with oil light seems to be idle speed. I thought I had heard whisperings about oil light problems resolving themselves during cleaning and will just watch it carefully for now. I was imagining some bit of something getting lodged in the sensor during the clean. I may try the heavier oil and then try to find out where the sending unit is on this engine.