Idle Oil Pressure Lower

The car’s oil pressure gauge is needed to show you whether it is running too low, too high or just right. Low oil pressure can cause engine damage. You need to find out why your oil pressure drops at idle so you can quickly fix it.

This guide will address the most frequent causes. These problems can also be fixed. 

Idle Low Oil Pressure: Causes

Low oil pressure, which is common when the engine is not in use, means that there are low levels of oil. This could indicate that your oil quality is low, an oil filter is clogged, your oil pump may be defective or the wrong type of oil. 

1. Low Oil

Low oil levels can lead to a decrease in engine power. The pump can’t work with the right amount of oil when it gets too low. You might notice an oil pressure drop at high speeds. This happens because the oil moves from side-to-side, away the sensors.

Low oil levels can be a simple oversight, while other times, it’s due to a mechanical problem. You need to know what’s causing it if you want to fix it. 

RELATED: How to Check Your Car’s Engine Oil

2. Poor Oil Quality

If you hadn’t changed the oil in the engine when you were supposed to, it could affect the pressure. The oil loses many its original characteristics as the oils becomes more contaminated. 

A change in the oil structure causes a decrease of pressure. It’s also less able to clean and protect the engine the way it should. 

3. Defective Oil Pump

Oil pump keeps the engine oil moving in the system. If it breaks, the oil pump can not continue to push the oil through the engine.

An oil indicator that flashes can indicate that your pump is failing. When this happens, it’s important to have it checked immediately before engine damage occurs. 

RELATED: 4 Symptoms of a Bad Oil Pump (& Replacement Cost)

4. Filter blockage

The oil filter can become clogged if it is not cleaned regularly. This will cause low oil pressure and reduce flow. It is usually very easy to replace an oil filter. You should also change the filter every oil change.

READ MORE: 5 Signs of a Bad or Clogged Oil Filter (& Replacement Cost)

5. Futility in Pressure Gauge

Low oil pressure at idle could indicate that the gauge is defective. It can happen right after an oil change, until the system returns to normal and registers new viscosity. 

You should have your gauge and electrical system checked if the problem persists. You could have a problem with the gauge or an electrical system that causes a false reading. 

6. The wrong oil grade

Pressure problems can result from using the wrong oil during an engine change. Although some engines may be able to use multiple types of oil, others require specific formulas. 

If the oil is too thin or thick, it won’t flow through the engine properly. Plus, the motor won’t get the lubrication it needs. 

READ MORE: 0w20 vs. 5w20 vs. 5w30 – Oil Viscosity Explained

7. Broken Engine

Worst-case scenario: The engine is destroyed. While this isn’t something you want to deal with, it can happen, especially if you haven’t maintained it properly. 

If all of the other situations don’t seem to be causing the problem, it’s time to examine what other symptoms the motor is experiencing. You can read the trouble codes, evaluate the performance and watch the fuel economy to get a better picture of what’s going on inside the motor. 

RELATED: What to do if your engine is damaged by no oil?

How to fix low oil pressure at the Idle

1. Get More Oil

You can add oil to the engine if the levels are too low. You can monitor the current oil level by using an oil dipstick.

If you notice that it’s too far down on the dipstick, it’s time to add more. Make sure that the oil viscosity matches what’s in there and that the quality is in good shape. You don’t want to add an abundance of fresh oil to dirty oil, as this simply degrades what you are adding. 

2. Perform Oil & Oil filter Change

Because the viscosity can vary, pressures could be inaccurate if the engine oil has become contaminated. This vital maintenance step should be performed when it is time to change your oil.

If you do an oil change, the pressures should be more stable. You could have another problem. However, this is one of the cheaper fixes you can work with, so it’s best to start here. 

READ MORE: 5 Easy Steps to Change Your Car's Oil.

3. Replacing the oil pump

You can only replace the oil pump if it is damaged. This repair will cost you differently depending on the vehicle that you have.

An average oil pump replacement will cost between $350 and $2,000. An average oil pump replacement will cost between $350 and $2,000. 

4. Repair Pressure Gauge

An electrical or sensor problem could cause the gauge to behave erraticly and unpredictably. This would be especially true if you aren’t noticing engine performance issues.

You must identify the problem first before you can repair it. You can either replace the entire gauge or just one sensor. Both require expert diagnostics. 

5. Make sure to use the right oil

You should replace the oil if you believe the viscosity of the engine's oil was too low. Start by looking in the owner’s manual to determine exactly what you should have used. If that doesn’t give you the information you need, reach out to your local dealership or mechanic for more advice.

Once you know what oil to use, it’s time to change it. Don’t forget to also change the oil filter to ensure none of the old fluid remains in the system. 

RELATED: High Oil Pressure: Main Causes & Symptoms (How to Fix It)

6. Get your engine fixed

There may be some issues with your engine that can be corrected. You will need to pay a large amount of money to replace a motor that is badly damaged. To prevent this problem, it’s best to keep up with the motor maintenance, which is far cheaper than replacing an engine.

You have many choices when it comes time to replace an engine. A used engine will usually be the most affordable option. These engines can be found at the salvage yard but normally don’t have any guarantees. It is possible to have your engine rebuilt. The mechanic will take apart your motor to rebuild the engine using better parts. This ensures a smoother operation. 

There’s also the option to get a remanufactured engine. The engine that you have is taken out of service will be replaced by one with the same parts. You often receive a warranty on both the engine and the labor with this engine. Installing a new engine in a crate is the best way to solve the problem. This is usually the most costly option and can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on what type of vehicle it's being installed.

READ MORE: Low Oil Pressure: Symptoms & Causes (& How to Fix it)