How long does your oil pressure light stay on?

[wjdzl]

Slowly but surely getting sucked into the diesel world, having bought a Vanagon with AAZ.

Something that's been bothering me is how long it takes for the oil pressure light to go out when starting.  If it's a warm start [the light] goes out pretty quickly, if it is a cold start, sometimes it takes 4-5 seconds?  Is that normal or should I look into switching oil weight (not sure what the PO has in there, think it's Mobil 1 Syn)  During those 4-5 seconds I feel like I can hear more valvetrain noise as it's building pressure.

Cheers!

[vanbcguy]

I see the same behavior with my AHU, currently running 15w40. Interested to see other responses here.

[nissannx]

1992 1.6 na. After an oil change about 5 sec. After a cold start. Maybe at most 2 sec

[vanbcguy]

I've got a digital gauge attached to the head (that's the switch that flashes the oil pressure light at under 2000 engine RPM). The head switch triggers at about 0.1 bar. I do usually see that much within a couple of seconds at current temperatures but it takes more like 15 seconds for oil pressure to completely stabilize.

[theman53]

I have both the stock system and an autometer electric gauge. I get my light to go out while it is cranking or less than 1 second. I also see with cold 10w-30 around 15lbs before it lights. I did have the crank machined and new KS bearings when I rebuilt it.

[vanbcguy]

Are you measuring at the head or at the filter flange?

[TimpanogosSlim]

Newly built 1.6d with hydro head and matching mk2 oil pump, turns off after just a couple seconds of cranking.

.:Sent by pneumatic tubes

[TimpanogosSlim]

Fwiw there are a variey of different oil pressure switches. Since i converted from mech to hydro head, i did some research and put an 0.25 bar in the head and a 1.4 bar in the filter flange.

Iirc 0.1 bar is the spec for mech heads.

.:Sent by pneumatic tubes

[theman53]

Are you measuring at the head or at the filter flange?

I measure from the cylinder head.

[air-cooled or diesel]

having bought a Vanagon with AAZ.

Something that's been bothering me is how long it takes for the oil pressure light to go out when starting.  If it's a warm start [the light] goes out pretty quickly, if it is a cold start, sometimes it takes 4-5 seconds?  Is that normal or should I look into switching oil weight (not sure what the PO has in there, think it's Mobil 1 Syn)  During those 4-5 seconds I feel like I can hear more valvetrain noise as it's building pressure.

my ahu the oil light goes right out. on my older (mk2) it takes a second or just a little longer.
in an older engine/used car changing oil can be a problem in its self, if po had one thing (oil) in car use only that oil; changing brand can be a problem. weight can too i believe.
sounds like you have a problem there though. if po used 5w-40 mobile1 change back to this; if you still have a late light, next you likely test sensors.

[vanbcguy]

Are you measuring at the head or at the filter flange?

I measure from the cylinder head.

How long do you have to crank to have it start? Mine usually lights off on the second bump of the starter - nowhere near enough time to build up any pressure if it's been sitting overnight say. I get your results if I come out of the grocery store or something like that where it has been sitting for less than an hour.

[theman53]

Are you measuring at the head or at the filter flange?

I measure from the cylinder head.

How long do you have to crank to have it start? Mine usually lights off on the second bump of the starter - nowhere near enough time to build up any pressure if it's been sitting overnight say. I get your results if I come out of the grocery store or something like that where it has been sitting for less than an hour.

I am running around 17:1 compression, if it is cold maybe 5 turns of the starter, but the oil is cold so it shoots pressure right up. If it is warm it will light first turn and have oil pressure right about then...maybe a thousand one count.

[Renax]

I have a AAZ powered Caravelle (euro vanagon). Running on mobil 5w50 currently. If i glow a long time, it fires up at first crank, then the light stays on 1-1,5 seconds.
If its cranking 2-3 times before start i never see the oil light... hot starts i never see the light...

[sgnimj96]

         I installed a mechanical gauge (using a metric T-fitting like this one http://www.jegs.com/i/VDO/918/240-850/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710621319&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230006180000848799&cadevice=c&gclid=CKnboP7Du8ICFfPm7AodOhEAOg) and have the light as well
  note: my mechanical gauge (sunpro) is 1/8NPT but it went into the metric fitting without much trouble

[TimpanogosSlim]

Yeah 1/8 NPT and m10x1 are almost the same thread. Almost.

.:Sent by pneumatic tubes