Having problems..., Oil light Options

[Tenchi]

When I start the car the oil light stays on for a couple of seconds or until I accelerate a little. I checked the oil level and its fine. I changed the oil not too long ago. Actually this has been happening for a while now. Now I am noticing that the car does not have the pick up it used to. It sounds like it is struggling a bit. Any idea what it could be??

It is a 1995 Celica GT Automatic with about 98k miles on it. I had a tune up last November at around 90k miles. Had the timing belt and tensionar and a couple of bearings replaced at around 92k miles due to the tensionar snapping off (wasn't pretty, but the car survived). Any suggestions??

This post has been edited by Tenchi: May 10, 2004 - 12:15 PM

[Drocay]

another member had the same problem but found out that its nothing and it even says it in the owners manual.

[bufferdan]

i think its everyones imagination saying that the car isnt "picking up" anymore...these cars really never "picked up" to begin with Its probably fine. As long as you check the oil and its good then your fine.

[sinner96ST]

run some fuel injector cleaner, and also, when is the last time you changed your transmission fluid?

and this "pick up & go" is normal for every car. when you first get it, it hauls ass, now, it doesn't do ****. believe me, that is normal if you are relativey new (less than a year or just around it) to the car.

I know your 5SFE isn't a 97 & above, but this may be something to consider :

link

They discontinued the 5SFE because of this, I believe.

[97GTinKC]

You may want to try a different brand of oil filter, these engines require one WITH the anti-drainback valve. otherwise the engine has to re-fill the filter before you get pressure. I'd get a genuine Toyota filter and see if you still have the oil light problem. I have noticed some brands supposedly with the anti-drainback valve still drain overnight. As far as the sludge, Use a good synthetic like Amsoil and you shouldn't have any problems. ALL engines will build up sludge with cheap oil and poor maintenance.
As far as performance, we're SOL...try driving something even slower for a while (like my wife's Protege automatic) you will then appreciate what little you do have.

edit: oil light staying on when 1st starting is also a good reason to stay with the lower weight oils like 5w30, (I use the Amsoil series2000 0W30) they are somewhat thinner and will pump easier, thus getting oil to all the parts that much quicker (not to mention it takes more horsepower to pump a 20W50, and stock engine internal clearances weren't designed for the heavier oils)

This post has been edited by 97GTinKC: May 11, 2004 - 10:30 AM

[Tenchi]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will get a toyota filter next time and see if that will make a difference. As for my transmission oil, I would say it has been about 15k miles since I changed it.

When I said the car doesn't have the same power as before, it is because my car has started to struggle a bit (shaking / studdering) when accelerating. This was not normal 2-3 weeks ago... Hopefully the fuel injection cleaners will do the trick.

For the oil sludge... Jiffy lube offers an Engine flush service which they pump oil using a machine in and out of the motor. This wil supposedly take out any oil build up. Will this help any? I think the service is about $60 -$70 if I'm not mistaken.


Thanks again everyone.

This post has been edited by Tenchi: May 11, 2004 - 11:01 AM

[yotatech]

hey yes the 5s fe does have a recall for slugde problem and also it may be because of the oil filter you are using. i am not sure if the recall sludge problem is for all toyotas with the engine or for the celica at all but if you would like to try a new oil filter there are 2 that will fit your engine, one is the a1 and the other is the a2 which is smaller than the a1, those are the last two characters on the part. i have a 1996 camry with the 5s and i use the a1 and also use mobil one super syn and my car runs like a champ. just keep your engine clean on the inside and use a good oil if the problem , as far as it maybe your injectors messin up i dont know it could be a number of things, and as far as i go i dont use the stuff you can pour in your tank all that much, yes once or twice over a period of time isnt bad but make sure if it the pour in the gas tank type that you have a full tank because as far as i have seen some pople put too much of the stuff in and somtimes without enough gas in the tank and it can foul up the spark plugs somtimes....another thing speaking of plugs if it seems sluggish check them make sure they are nice and clean with no cracks or anything..they are a 5\8 spark plug socket with a 8 inch extension u can take them on out...if you have a brand new socket u can use some white grease on the socket so it wont get stuck to the spark plug when putting it back in(make sure to clean off the plug)..if you like to keep it clean though u can get a pair of long needle nose plyers to get the socket out if it gets stuck in there :P just tryin to help as always do reasearch with anything you work on im just tryin to lend a hand if i can good luck man

[yotatech]

damn i cant type well

[bufferdan]

studdering? I had this problem too. Change the plugs and wires.. It fixed mine.

[BEEFSTEW800]

[Tenchi]

Damn! Thanks for the heads up on that. I was really considering this service. Would you guys recommend me switching to synthetic oil? Or is it too late for me, having 98k miles on the car?

[Drocay]

thats about what i have 98000. I use Mobile One synthetic older veichel forumula.

[brianforster]

For some reason, I when I put stop-smoke exhaust treatment in, it stopped my oil light from flickering at idle. I think maybe my oil was low and since you put stop smoke at the same place as oil, it filled it up enough.

The thing is , the stop smoke didnt stop the puff of smoke that comes out when I start the car

[yotatech]

brian u may have semi-bad piston rings which may cause the car to smoke by letting oil get past the piston rings and onto the pistons and when turned over and the the combustion begins the oil burns off of the top of the piston which creates some smoke...u can sometimes check your spark pugs to see if any oil is on them and once out u can look at the top of the pistons for any signs werddddd