Expert: Roland Finston - 9/4/2011

Question
I have a 2003 doge neon sxt. I have had a problem when it was about a quart low and I would turn a corner the oil light would come on. I would check the oil and add. The other day my light came on and stayed on. I added a couple quarts of oil and it went out. on my way home from work that same day the light came on. I pulled over, checked the oil and it was almost to the MAX mark on the dip stick. I proceeded to drive home (since I was in the middle of no where and it started to make a knocking sound like it was the lifters. added a little more oil and it went away. got home and light never went off. not sure if oil isn't circulating or what. could this be a clogged filter or any ideas?

Answer
Hi Dana,
It could be a clogged oil filter or a faulty oil pump. Try changing the filter as that is quick and cheap. Is there an oil pressure gauge on the cluster? and if so what is it showing. Otherwise you can remove the oil pressure sensor which is generally located adjacent to the oil filter (a screw-in device with a single wire (gray color) and in its place screw in an oil pressure gauge with the same fitting as the sensor, start the engine and read the pressure which should be at least 5 psi at idle. If not, the you will need to change the internal pump. Tell me the displaement (L) of your engine so I can tell you how to do that.
I would not drive the car any further until this is resolved.
Roland