Have you gotten an error message saying, oil pressure low stop engine? Well, if that is the case and you are in this unfortunate situation, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic.
Having a problem like this can be really dangerous. If you didn’t know, low oil pressure is an engine killer. When this happens, something bad is going down inside of your engine and this could be detrimental meaning that the engine could fail at any time if the oil pressure is low.
So, watch out when you are in this situation and make sure that you never ignore the oil pressure low stop engine and make yourself sure that you diagnose the issue as soon as possible and we are going to help you out with this trouble.
First, we are going to learn what is oil pressure and the different types of oil pressure that exist. Then we will learn more about the low oil pressure light and the common situation when this oil light will turn on. After that, we are going to discuss the causes and the symptoms of low oil pressure and how to diagnose the problem. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
What Is Oil Pressure?
Now let’s cover the basics of what is oil pressure before we focus on the problem with oil pressure low stop engine. Knowing the basics will help you in understanding more about this problem and how to overcome it. So, if you are a beginner, follow along, if you think that you are up to the task, you can jump to the following chapters. So, what is the oil pressure?
Well, in simple words oil pressure can be described as the force that the oil faces when it flows throughout the engine.
If you didn’t know, most cars have a wet sump type of oil delivery. This means that there is an oil pan and there there is a pickup tube. Whenever the engine starts the oil pump is pumping this oil from the bottom of the engine and disperses it throughout the engine.
That’s how oil pressure is created. But also the work of the crankshaft and the movement of the pistons also helps in this process to keep the oil pressure in check.
So, if the pistons are not sealing well, you might face an oil pressure low stop engine problem with your car and big and really expensive problems. Later on, we will focus more on that, now let’s first cover the types of oil pressure that exist.
Types Of Oil Pressure
Now let’s quickly cover the types of oil pressure that are out there before we dive into the oil pressure low stop engine problem. Knowing the types will help you determine what is the right normal pressure on your car. So, let’s get into it.
1. High Oil Pressure
The first type of oil pressure that we are going to cover before we learn the oil pressure low stop engine problem is the high oil pressure. So, what can be considered high oil pressure?
Well, high oil pressure is usually an oil pressure that is above 65 PSI in most applications. This pressure is most often caused by some sort of obstruction inside of your engine. Mainly because of sludge or some other debris. Cleaning the engine might be necessary to sort it out.
2. Normal Oil Pressure
The second type of oil pressure that we are going to cover before we learn more about the oil pressure low stop engine problem is the normal oil pressure.
The normal oil pressure is somewhere between 25 and 65 PSI. This is the sweet spot when it comes to oil pressure and you should always focus that your oil pressure is in this range. Now let’s move on to the last type.
3. Low Oil Pressure
The last type of oil pressure that we are going to cover before we learn more about the oil pressure low stop engine problem is the low oil pressure.
Whenever you are getting a situation of low oil pressure warning that tells you that you need to stop your engine because of low oil pressure. The only way around this would be to deeply inspect the engine and move on from there.
Low oil pressure is considered to be anything below 25 PSI. So, if the pressure meter is below this range, then you have a problem with the oil pressure low stop engine. Now let’s move on to the next topic and discuss more on the low oil pressure light
Low Oil Pressure Light
Now let’s discuss the low oil pressure light. What this light means in the first place. Does it indicate oil pressure low stop engine situation or something else?
Well, sort of. When the oil light is on, you might be having a car that is low on oil. You might be having a leak from somewhere that is causing this light to turn on. Or if you overfilled the oil, the light might turn on because of too much oil.
This light is controlled by the engine oil pressure sensor known also as an oil pressure switch. This light doesn’t necessarily tell you that you are having an issue with low oil pressure keep that in mind. For the right data, you should always monitor the oil pressure gauge and the needle of this gauge and make sure that every time it is at the right spot. Now let’s cover some of the most common situations that indicate oil pressure low stop engine.
Common Situations With Low Oil Pressure
As we mentioned above, in the following chapters, we are going to list the two most common situations that tell give you a warning of oil pressure low stop engine. And you need to be prepared for both of them or you possibly have already come across one of these. So, what are these situations? Let’s elaborate.
Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine But Oil Is Full
The first situation that we are going to cover is with the oil pressure low stop engine but oil is full. This is a situation that can be somewhat misleading. Why you would get this type of message?
Well, there could be a couple of things. Either the oil has become sludgy and not changed for a long time, your oil filter is clogged, or eventually, your oil pressure switch is bad and is basically misguiding you into thinking that you have a problem with the oil pressure of your car. So, beware of these situations. Now let’s move on to the next.
Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine Comes On And Off
The second situation is when the oil pressure low stop engine comes on and off. So, why is this the case?
Well, there could be a few causes for this situation. More precisely a problem with sludge inside of the engine. If the passageways are not cleared, or possibly the oil pump is not performing as it should cause problems like this to happen.
The important thing for you is not to panic and try to diagnose the problem. Later on, we are going to explain how it is done. The next thing we would like to talk about is the symptoms of an oil pressure low stop engine. What symptoms you could expect when the oil pressure is low, let’s elaborate.
Low Oil Pressure Symptoms
Now let’s focus more on the symptoms that you will receive when you have a message that tells you oil pressure low stop engine. What are the symptoms in this situation?
Well, the first symptom for this instance will probably be the check engine light if you are having a problem with the oil pressure sensor. This sensor could malfunction and cause you issues like this.
So, in order to further understand the check engine light, you will need to get an OBD2 scanner and scan the car for codes. And only after that, you will be able to tell if you have problems with the oil pressure sensor.
The most common codes concerning this oil pressure sensor are the P0520, P0521, P0522, P0523, and P0524. If you have these codes on the scanner then this means that there is not a problem with the oil pressure but more a problem with the sensor.
On the other hand, if you really have oil pressure in your car you can expect the engine to work very poorly.
The components will produce a ton of friction because there is no pressure and the engine will start to overheat. In these situations, the temperature gauge will also jump high and you will basically have an engine that will catastrophically fail at any moment.
So, it is really important to notice when an oil pressure low stop engine message occurs and try to diagnose the problem. That’s how you will avoid paying a ton of money to fix this issue. But have you asked yourself what are the main causes of this problem? Let’s elaborate on them next.
Low Oil Pressure Causes
Now let’s cover the causes for the low oil pressure and the oil pressure low stop engine message appearing on your cluster.
Knowing the causes will tell you where to look first in order to solve this problem and quickly sort it out. This is why we are going to help you out by elaborating on the main culprits for this problem. So, let’s get into it.
1. Engine Oil Pressure Sensor
The first and often most common reason for the oil pressure low stop engine message is a problem with the oil pressure sensor.
This sensor is also known as an oil pressure switch or oil sending unit. Although it has many names, it is basically the same thing. A sensor that tells if you have low or high oil pressure.
Unfortunately, though, it can fail and cause the check engine light along with the oil pressure low stop engine message to pop up on your dash. So, if you got one of these codes that are connected to this sensor, it is worth checking this component out before you jump to conclusions that your engine is totaled.
2. Low Oil Level
The second most common reason for low oil pressure and the oil pressure low stop engine message is the low level of oil inside of the engine.
Let’s say that you have a leak somewhere on the engine and you are losing some of the oil all the time. It is a very logical conclusion that you will face a problem with low oil levels and also problems with the oil pressure in your engine.
So, when you get an oil pressure low stop engine message on the cluster, it should be your top priority to check the level of oil and also the condition of this oil.
If you have a low level of oil, then you need to top off the oil before further damage occurs. The engine oil should always be in the sweet spot which is somewhere in the middle. Not too high and not too low.
In addition to the oil level, you should also check the quality of the oil. If the oil is too thick and possibly burnt. Then this oil needs to be changed as soon as possible if you don’t want to get the oil pressure low stop engine message again.
3. Clogged Oil Filter
Another very common cause for oil pressure low stop engine message is the clogged oil filter. This is a fairly common thing on cars that have skipped an oil change.
The more you delay the oil change, the more sludge builds up on the filter and into the engine. The engine oil simply stops being oil and lubricates the engine. It just becomes a sludgy mess that ruins the engine.
When you have oil in your engine, there will be increased friction among the components so you will have more wear and tear than usual, the engine will also get too hot and there will be some obstructions and the sludge will start to stick to the oil filter.
This filter is not a filter anymore. This filter and sludge will kill your engine sooner than later. So, whenever you notice an oil pressure low stop engine message, it is important to act quickly and sort out this problem.
4. Bad Oil Pump
Another very common cause of the oil pressure low stop engine is the situation with the oil pump. Oil pumps are some of the most durable components on your car and can run forever.
But in some cars that have been poorly maintained, you can expect problems with this pump to occur and a lot of headaches.
So, whenever you have topped off the oil and you keep getting this message and the engine runs too hot. It probably means that the oil pump is not working as it should.
The only way around this will be to replace the oil pump with a new unit and call it a day. This will hopefully fix the problem with the oil pressure low stop engine. And now let’s cover the last in our list of low oil pressure causes and reasons for the oil pressure low stop engine.
5. Worn Out Engine
The last probable cause for the oil pressure low stop engine is probably the wear and tear inside of the engine.
As you probably know, the oil moves the oil and distributes it where it needs to do so. But what is the most important thing are the internals of the engine to maintain this pressure.
And by this, we mean that the rod bearings, piston rings, and other components have to be in perfect working order if you want to have proper oil pressure.
If you have worn bearings then you might face a problem like this with the oil pressure low stop engine. Or if the piston rings are worn you will have a similar situation.
So, whenever you have low oil pressure. It is advised that you measure the compression in your engine and make sure that your engine has enough compression to keep running.
How To Diagnose & Fix The Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine Problem?
Now let’s see how you can diagnose and fix the oil pressure low stop engine message that popped on your cluster. What you can do about this?
Well, the first thing that you can do is to stop the car or drive to the nearest gas station and check the oil level. This is essential. The probability of running low on oil is there and if you are you need to top off the oil on your car and this hopefully will fix the issue.
Also, flush the oil on your car and see if you get the same problem with fresh oil and filter. If you do, then the problem lies somewhere in the oil pump, oil pressure sensor, or possibly low compression.
The first thing that you need to check is the oil pressure switch and test the car with an OBD2 scanner. Check if you get a P0521 or a similar code from the ones that we listed in the previous chapters. These indicate problems with the oil pressure switch. If the switch is broken then you need to replace it.
Also, if you don’t find your problem in the previous causes that we discussed. Then you might want to inspect and see the compression level of your engine and the work of the oil pump. These are the most expensive things to fix but that’s how things go when you want to sort the oil pressure low stop engine message.
Cost To Fix Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine Problem
So, what is the cost to fix the oil pressure low stop engine message? Well, the cost to sort this problem out really depends on what is causing the problem in the first place. If you only need to top off the oil then this will probably be the cheapest thing you can do. An oil flush is like $60 on average. An oil pressure sensor is also really cheap costing about $50 to purchase.
What is expensive though is if you are having a problem with the engine. Namely, the oil pump that can cost between $200 and $300. Plus the labor involved in this will be expensive. And lastly is if the engine is bad. If the engine is bad then you will have to pay between $3,000 to $5,000 for a new replacement engine.
Facts: What Does Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine Message Mean?
- An Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine message means that your car’s engine has detected a lower level of oil than what should be present in the engine.
- The causes of low oil pressure may differ in severity and risk, ranging from a simple gauge replacement to a lack of proper oil flow to the engine due to pump insufficiency.
- The problem can be either sensor-based or related to the true oil level in your car’s engine system.
- Driving with the Oil Pressure Low light on can be detrimental and result in complete engine failure and expensive repairs.
- Common causes for the Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine warning light include a faulty pump or pickup system, a malfunctioning sensor, and oil leaks.
- A low oil pressure light can be a symptom of other engine system problems that may cause a car to shut off.
- A simple fix for low oil pressure could be to make an oil swap, using a heavier viscosity oil that matches your engine and driving needs.
- Low oil pressure may be caused by a blown head gasket or an oil leak, with a blown head gasket emitting a sweet, smoky smell from your exhaust and an oil leak resulting in a bitter, acrid, and strong burning smell from under your hood.
- Your car’s oil is propelled through the engine system by way of a pump and pickup structure, which pulls up oil at a steady rate matching your car’s momentum and engine demands.
- Consulting with a mechanic can help you make an official diagnosis and determine the best way to resolve the Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine light.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the problem with the message of oil pressure low stop engine. We learned what is low oil pressure and the types of oil pressure.
Then we covered the symptoms, causes, and how to diagnose low oil pressure. Lastly, we discussed the costs involved in fixing this issue.
F.A.Q To Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Should Oil Pressure Be
The recommended oil pressure should be between 25 and 65 PSI. Anything below 25 PSI is considered to be low oil pressure while anything above 65 PSI is high oil pressure.
What Does Low Oil Pressure Mean
This means that your oil pressure is low. Meaning that it is below 25 PSI. The engine needs to have proper oil pressure in order to work properly.
What Causes Low Oil Pressure
Many things could cause this problem. Namely, if your engine is running low on oil, damaged oil pump, a clogged oil filter, a bad oil pressure sensor, or the engine is simply too worn out and needs a rebuild.
What Does Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine Mean
This means that you need to stop your engine and check the oil level. If it’s low, top off the oil. If the oil is not low, then you should look after the causes of this occurrence.
How To Tell If Engine Is Damaged From No Oil
The only way that you can tell this is by disassembling the engine and inspecting each component for wear and tear. Then you can conclude what could be the cause.
How To Fix Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine
You can fix this problem by stopping the engine and topping off the oil if the oil level is low. This way you will avoid engine damage from occurring.
Why Does My Car Say Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine
Well, your car says this because the oil pressure in your engine is below 25 PSI. This means that you either have a low oil level or something else is causing this problem.
