typical low oil pressure failure mode - 2.0 engine?

First; check the oil level. Second; check that the correct type of oil and filter are being used.

Then, check the oil pressure sensors.

After that; a check of the oil pump itself may be called for. Pulling the sump to do that may indicate other possible causes e.g. a blocked suction screen; damaged baffle(s), etc.

again, I'm about a 4-5 hour drive away from the car, so I'm really just trying to see if it's worth advising her to buy a new set of rods and mains and maybe an oil pump to see if she can eke a couple more years' use out of the car. I could probably do the swap in an afternoon for her (the car doesn't sound like it's worth enough to invest in new bolts, although I'd probably buy a new oil pan as well just to save time because they're cheap) next time I'm in town if it is worthwhile to do it.

I did tell her she should be using a 40W or preferably 50W oil in the car, and I don't have any way of telling if she's getting good filters or not (I'm sure she has the oil changed rather than changing it herself.)

I'm ASSuming that all the sensors have been checked or replaced, but I don't know where she's been taking the car. Had I not been visiting only for a dark, rainy evening I might have suggested buying a cheap mechanical OP gauge and going for a drive...

nate

I would first off run the car with an oil pressure gauge in place of the sensor. At least you would know if you were getting false signals. If, after determining exact value, and it's within spec, I would check to see if there is a voltage regulator in the dash. On my 16V, there was a faulty voltage regulator in the dash which kept setting off the warning light/buzzer. Not sure if the newer ones have that set up, but it may be worth checking.

Rick

A few cheap tricks from the old days... asumming the oil pressure is just at the spec or slightly low. As designed the oil lamp is to come on if oil pressure is below about 28psi at 2000rpm.

1- the original oil pressure switch on the filter housing is 1.8bar, but one from the diesel is only 1.4bar. 2- just use the diesel engine switch 3- another trick is to use the oil pump from the G60 Corrado which is a higher volume unit 4- if you get into replacing the bearings then use a solid lower half in #4 main bearing.

Oh, I forgot to ask, I bet the oil lamp comes on just about 2000rpm.

That's what I'm talking about... stuff like that... I didn't drive the car so I don't know what RPM the light came on at. I'll ask next time I talk to her.

re: G60 oil pump, I thought that was kind of a pricey item? ISTR someone recommending using a later 2.0 pump in a G60 with a mod to the shaft as it was "higher volume and cheaper" and this is indeed a later model 2.0.

This is somewhat relevant to my interests as I still have SWMBO's Corrado disassembled in the garage :)

nate

Lost > A few cheap tricks from the old days... asumming the oil pressure is just at

Isn't another trick just using 20W50 synthetic? I did that with my 1994

2.0L eight years ago and I haven't had an oil light blip since.

yep, but 50w in the real cold climates makes for a slow crank