Check Oil Light. Should i be concerned?

[gotta240]

Whenever i start my car after it has set for an hour or so, my motor makes rattling noises for about 3 seconds. The check oil light is also on for the first 3 seconds after car is started.

If i turn the car off, and turn it back on, the light goes off immediatly and there is no extra engine noise.

The noise i describe sounds similar to a timing chain rattle(it has newer timing chain) or like dry/loose valves. Like i say though, this is ONLY ON INITIAL STARTUP and only for couple seconds.

Motor is 96 ka24de. 100k. miles. Runs great, no oil burning. Regular oil changes with castrol 10-30 or 10-40. No metal/dirty oil upon changes.

NORMAL OR NOT NORMAL?

[Neejay]

Bearings? If Im not mistaken, low oil pressure causes bad bearings/bearing noise, at least upon startup.

I would assume that by the time you cut the car off and cut it back on, the pressure has built up enough.

I've also heard that the oil light on a KA = too late. If its coming on at all, that is definitely NOT normal.

[S14DB]

Oil Pump and/or the relief valve in it are gone. Noise is your bearings getting scored.

How are you checking for metal?

[WilloW]

I would get a oil pressure gauge and stop relying on that factory oil light. IIRC, its like an ON OFF switch so by the time you see it your ass is already grass.

[supreme_1]

what would be normal operating oil pressure at idle for a kade and kae?

[gotta240]

It is not bearing noise. Its top end noise for sure. IE:timing chain, valves, etc

[cotbu]

The stock oil pressure switch, deactivates at like 6psi. So if you think it's taking long it probably is, and that's why we say it's to late, if that light comes on.
The noise your hearing is coming from the head, it's starving! Try building pressure, before you start the car and see if it makes a difference. (disconnect fuel pump fuse and coil wire build oil pressure then hook them back up or inspect replace oil pump or try thinner oil)

[ladiesman8527]

change your oil pressure sending unit or whatever its called. its really cheap. maybe the one in there is going out and is acting funny, thus lighting up the dashboard. as for the noise, check for exhaust leaks. im not saying thats what it is, but my brothers car was making a similer noise, and it ended up being a bad exhaust leak.

[Neejay]

what would be normal operating oil pressure at idle for a kade and kae?

DOHC warmed up:

Idle: 11+ psi
3k rpm: 60-70 psi

[aznpoopy]

iirc the timing chain tensioner is driven by oil pressure

if you have insufficient oil pressure i suppose the chain could go a bit slack and you'd get a rattle if you have one or the other guide in place

obviously this would be loudest front top or front top right (facing the car)

[gotta240]

Anyone have a quick/easy way to check oil pressure or install an oil pressure guage? I have a new sunpro, but no clue where/how to install it...

BTW- trackday manana. Earlier advice the better!!

[projectRDM]

The OE oil pressure switch is trash, period. It comes on at 8psi, which at any engine speed other than idle means you've already shredded bearings. Replacing it with a new OE switch, as mentioned above, is equally retarded.

The best idea is to install a true oil pressure gauge, replacing the OE switch.

[S14DB]

Yeah, I hope you brought a replacement engine to this track day.

[madd ocx]

yeah my car does the same thing! when you start the car it does it for like 1-2 sec, then stops. and after like 2000 miles of driving whenever i accelerate you hear the noise. when i change the oil it stops for a while. mechanic said it could be the valves or bearings. but i never saw the oil light come on though, thats new to me.

[Neejay]

yeah my car does the same thing! when you start the car it does it for like 1-2 sec, then stops. and after like 2000 miles of driving whenever i accelerate you hear the noise. when i change the oil it stops for a while. mechanic said it could be the valves or bearings. but i never saw the oil light come on though, thats new to me.

Your problem sounds like the timing chain and/or guides and/or tensioner. New oil is thicker = more pressure on tensioner. Used to happen on my old s13.

[madd ocx]

a friend of mine mine told me the same thing! most likely the timing chain chain guides. my mechanic said he wasn't sure he just guesstimated, lol.. but i never got it fully checked out. i really don't feel like spending money on timing chain shit.

[projectRDM]

i really don't feel like spending money on timing chain shit.

Then I guess you'll feel like spending money on a new engine.

[MURPHY]

I would get a oil pressure gauge and stop relying on that factory oil light. IIRC, its like an ON OFF switch so by the time you see it your ass is already grass.
they're probally like mustangs. they aren't an indicator of low or high but a dummy light. and well once you see it it's usually to late

[madd ocx]

Then I guess you'll feel like spending money on a new engine.lol, nah ofcourse ima change it, but the problem hasn't been fully diagnosed. thanks for the info

[gotta240]

Heres the diagnosing i've done, please give opinions.

1. Started another s14. Light stayed on for the same perioud of time after INITIAL start up(couple seconds) but NO NOISE.

2. Installed oil pressure guage. Pressure was aroud 50 at 3k. rpms, and 18 at idle. Kinda wierd that 3k. pressure was a little lower than recomended, but idle was higher than the 11psi recomended. I attribute this to old parts though, and don't see the oil pump/pressure as the problem.

The above two statements lead me to believe the TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER is going bad, and doesn't tension much till FULL PRESSURE is built up. That explains the noise i heard as well.

Opinions?
Also, is there a way to eliminate that shitty plastic tubing for the oil pressure guage and use something more durable? That REALLY makes me nervous.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Get an aftermarket oil pressure gauge, take your cluster and pull the stupid oil pressure light bulb out...you wont be needing it.

A good rule of thumb for oil pressure is 1 bar for ever 1k rpm.

[TNathe]

Try a different oil, something like Valvoline's High Mileage stuff, IF the noise is engine components that are worn it should help, if not you lose nothing other than another $2 bucks for the extra cost of the oil.