Oil pressure light flickering

After 3 days I finally got a hold of a mechanic friend. He's got a gauge, so within the next few days, as soon as I can get him to say when,I'll put a gauge on and see what pressure I have at different rpms. He also suggested that I start using 20w50 oil because I have 258,000 miles on my truck. Does this sound like a good idea??

 

Check the grounds on the intake plenum...

 

Not necessarily. Where region are you located in?

 

If you are gunked up, or even if not, might not be a bad idea to run an oil cycle with Rotella T6 5w-40. It's marketed towards diesel engines but perfectly safe to use in gas engines. It has additional amounts of detergents, ex. high in Zinc, etc. Possibly could help with breaking up gunk, if that is what's messing with your oil pressure.

 

I am located in the Mid-Atlantic region
I live in southern Maryland.

 

Yeah gets cold there. I wouldn't run a 20w-XX.

 

I have never used any engine cleaner type products the entire time I've owned the truck. I have used gas treatment several times, where you pour in the container and fill up with gas. Might have been only a couple times with that. You think I should wait til I'm due for my next oil change before I use any engine cleaner??

 

Or like mentioned above by someone, maybe try a cleaner that he mentioned and then run that oil. But really should verify with a manual oil pressure gauge what's going on. That step shouldn't be skipped.

 

A mechanic friend told me he had a gauge so as soon as I can get him to do it, probably next few days. As stated before, I sat in driveway for over an hour with no flicker. It seemed to me like it won't flicker sitting still even if I hold the gas at different rpms. So sitting in his driveway it might not flicker either. It should increase in pressure when I raise the rpms though, right??

 

Yeah the gauge should show the increase in pressure as the engine accelerates. 100% positive the oil level is full, right? Not trying to be a putz, just asking.

 

Been awhile, but had knee surgery and not much driving. Yes, the oil level was full. I've driven it several times and it's seems like as soon as it warms up and drive a few miles I get the flickering. Then I'll make a stop for coffee or get some gas and back on the road and it won't flicker. I need to check it with gauge and a friend told me he'd loan me his. Test drive from his house and see if gauge shows pressure drop when it flickers. Thank you goes out to everyone that gave me some advice!!

 

10 psi per 1000 rpm is a good start. If possible the next time it flickers pull over and pull the dip stick really fast. I am thinking cavitation, look for bubbles on the stick. Take the oil fill cap off and see if oil is pooling in the cover and finally try a Toyota oil filter, while similar, they are not the same.

 

That's all I use is genuine Toyota oil filters and Pennzoil. The last couple times I've been out for a drive of more than 25 miles, it hasn't flickered at all. Hoping whatever caused it , cleared up on its own. I'm gonna get a new sending unit. They had several listed at Rockauto. They ranged in price from $4.90- $17.99. They all looked the same. If I can replace it for $5 + shipping why not? Its supposed to get warm again this coming week , so I should be able to at minimum check my pressure with a gauge.

 

If oil pressure is still low. You could try installing a new oil pump & related timing chain, water pump etc.

http://www.customtacos.com/forum/12...e-oil-pump-o-ring-crank-seal-replacement.html