Questions and Answers
Voyager Oil Pressure Light
Q. 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager Mini Van, Engine size 3.0, Automatic Transmission, 53,583 Miles, Fuel Injection, ABS Breaks, P/S-A/C, Cruise Control, Rack & Pinion Steering.
Question.. I recently started hearing a noise coming from the motor, like a piece of paper in a fan. After inspecting things in the motor, I found I had NO oil. Dry. Found a gasket leak in the valve cover. I replaced the oil, with heavy oil. Concern, why didn't I get some advanced warning from the service panel? What kind of damage am I looking at? Is this a manufacture defect? What do I do now? I have the oil check and changed every 3000 miles. Along with tire rotation. The last service date was September 2000.
A. If the dipstick was dry, that means you were down at least two and a half to three quarts of oil. That's a lot to lose in less than 3,000 miles. The oil pressure light should have come on or at least have been flashing at you to let you know something was wrong. Now don't misunderstand me, the oil pressure light does not indicate oil level, it measures oil pressure.
The reason I say it should have flashed or come on is at some point while you are driving, oil will have moved to one side of the pan or the other and the oil pick up would not be immersed in oil, causing a drop in oil pressure and turning the light on.
I would take it in to the dealer and have them check the oil pressure switch. If it is defective, then they will replace it. It should be covered under the warranty. Also the heavier oil will not help the leak, the valve cover gasket will have to be replaced. That should be covered by the warranty as well.
