Engine Oil is a very essential substance in an Internal combustion engine. Engine oil saves the engine from corrosion and also takes away the heat from the two meshing parts. Engine oil is typically made up of base oil and a variety of additives, such as detergents, dispersants, and anti-wear agents, which enhance its lubricating properties and help to keep the engine clean. So maintaining the oil pressure correctly is very important for the engine. In this article, I will describe the causes of Low Engine Oil Pressure. 

What is low engine oil pressure–

Low engine oil pressure

An engine’s lubrication system is essentially formed by the pump, oil filter, lubrication lines, and hardware. Oil pressure is measured in PSI and the perfect amount of oil pressure varies depending on what brand and model car you own. The oil pressure is an important factor in ensuring that the engine is properly lubricated, which is necessary for the engine to function correctly and avoid damage. In severe cases, low engine oil pressure can cause the engine to seize or fail completely, resulting in a dangerous situation for the driver and passengers. Here are some reasons for low engine oil pressure-

Worn engine bearings- 

Engine bearings are an essential component for supporting engine rotating shafts and reducing friction between them. The bearings are made of soft metals to reduce the weight and prevent the better-supporting performance of the engine’s most expensive parts. 

When the bearings can become worn to the point where they no longer provide adequate support to the engine shafts, oil can leak out of the gap, reducing the amount of oil that is available to lubricate the engine’s moving parts. This causes oil pressure to drop more than normal and increases the friction between the two rotating shafts.

Engine overheating- 

The engine is the main part of a vehicle. If the engine overheats many problems can happen. Among all the problems low oil pressure is also one. The high temperature of the engine can break down the engine oil, become less viscous, and lose its ability to properly lubricate the engine components.

As we all know, metals are expands when it is heated up. When the engine overheats, all the engine parts start to expand, causing less gap between the engine parts. This can cause the clearance between the engine bearings and the crankshaft or camshaft to increase, which can result in a drop in oil pressure. Engine overheating also damages the oil pump, that also the reason for low engine oil pressure. 

Oil dilution- 

Engine Oil dilution means the concentration of the oil is getting lower due to the water or gasoline formation. If an engine oil dilutes, it reduces its ability to lubricate all the parts properly. Oil dilution occurs when gasoline or other contaminants mix with the engine oil, causing it to become thinner and less viscous.

Dilution can cause engine oil to foam, causes reducing oil pressure by making oil bubbles inside the engine. When the oil is diluted, it can reduce the oil pressure because it may not be able to maintain the proper oil pressure.

Read more- Top 5 problems of a car overheating. 

Defective lubrication system-

A lubrication system is a full process of delivering oil from the oil sump to various engine compartments. If one of the systems falls down it will cause low oil pressure to the system. 

If the oil filter or oil pump gets clogged it will drop the pressure of the engine oil. Similarly, if there is a leak in the oil lines, the oil may not be able to reach all the parts of the engine, leading to inadequate lubrication and a drop in oil pressure. It’s important to have your vehicle regularly maintained and to immediately address any issues with the lubrication system to prevent further damage to the engine.

Internal leakages- 

Internal leakages mean the oil is escaping from the ports of the high-pressure pipe. Internal leakages can be caused by a number of factors, including worn or damaged engine gaskets and seals, cracks in the engine block, or a damaged cylinder head.

If the engine oil leaks, it will cause a low engine oil pressure. If the engine block or cylinder head is cracked, the oil may be able to leak out of the engine through the crack, also reducing the amount of oil available for lubrication.

Conclusion–

Low engine oil pressure is a serious problem for the engine, and its needs to check by experts. Ignoring the warning signs of low oil pressure can cause bearings, pistons, and other engine components to wear down and eventually fail. If some of the engine parts may damage, then a big issue will happen for you. 

Frequently asked questions-

What is engine oil dilution- 

Engine oil dilution means, the mixing of the engine oil with the water or fuel inside the engine compartment. If the engine oil dilutes, the viscosity property of the oil is decreased, causing less lubrication between the two moving parts. 

What is an oil pump?  

An oil pump is responsible for delivering the oil to different engine parts. The oil pump compresses the oil to high pressure and delivers it to the engine ports. If the oil pump is clogged then the oil pressure will hamper. 

What is an engine oil strainer? 

An oil strainer is a type of filter that filters the bigger dart particles of the engine oil. Over time, the oil strainer can become clogged with debris, which can impede oil flow and potentially cause engine damage.