I was at a stop light. Car acted like it wanted to die an...


I was at a stop light. Car acted like it wanted to die and the oil light flicked on and off Mechanic's Assistant: Just to clarify, what are the exact lights you're talking about? The oil light. It looks like an old oil ca...

I was at a stop light. Car acted like it wanted to die and the oil light flicked on and off Mechanic's Assistant: Just to clarify, what are the exact lights you're talking about? The oil light. It looks like an old oil can maybe? Mechanic's Assistant: What is the make/model/year of your car? 2006 nissian xterra 123,000 miles. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Xterra yourself? What have you tried so far? Just happened tonight. I pulled it over and towed it home. I’m having it looked at Monday. Checked the oil and that is fine. Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? That’s about it.

Automotive Expert
Hello and Thank you for the question. I am Internal88 - Nissan tech. I am here to help answer your questions. **The website will prompt a phone call automatically, NOT me. So please don't let this automatic service prompt annoy you. I prefer using text-only since most of the time I am inside the shop.**

OkOkay.
Automotive Expert
Have you checked the oil level?

Dipstick level is good cold and hot.
Automotive Expert
Did you recently do an oil change?

Not since October 27th. We drove it a little over 1000 since then.
Automotive Expert
You did the right thing by stopping the engine. There is a chance the oil pump or the oil pick up inside the oil pan is stucked.
Automotive Expert
You need to check the oil pressure first before replacing anything.

I was always told to pull over if you ever see that light. I had it towed home.Okay. I have an appointment to take it in Monday.I mean the oil pressure did drop at the light.Way lower than it usually does.
Automotive Expert
They have to check if the oil is getting 18 psi at idle. There are only 3 possibilities ( bad oil pressure sensor, oil pick up screen or oil pump) unless the oil filter is bad which is uncommon. A proper oil pressure test would give you the answer.

Okay. I figured it was one of the 3. I was searching google and got a little scared. But this is the first time it happened and the temp dial was normal.Thanks for your help.
Automotive Expert
You are welcome Also one more thing - For this engine the oil passage plate on the rear timing chain cover that can develop a leak from its gasket. This failure will cause low oil pressure at idle.

Well that's not good. Would you see an oil leak? The oil level is fine. Would that cause the oil to be low.
Automotive Expert
yes you should see it. It would also cause the oil pressure to drop to 3 psi. No worries, this is fixable, they have a repair kit for this repair.

Okay. Wonder how much it will be to have shop fix it
Automotive Expert
4.5 hours job

Thanks again.

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