Why Car Engine Oil Pressure Drops | Causes & How to Fix

We all know that blood is the lifeline of humans, and without it, humans cannot survive. Similarly, engine oil is also the life support for your car's engine as it keeps your engine running and prevents it from malfunctioning. In other words, your engine may get permanently damaged if there is no or little engine oil in your car.

So, it is imperative that you check your car's engine oil pressure to prevent your engine from getting damaged. Engine oil is consumed when your vehicle is running, and it's normal if the pressure drops with time. However, it is worrying if the pressure drops suddenly and very quickly.

There are several reasons behind a sudden drop in pressure of your car's engine oil. In this article, we will discuss these reasons to know the reason behind the problem and deal accordingly. Now, without taking any further time, let us start the discussion on today’s topic.

REASON BEHIND LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE

There are several reasons behind it, including:

HEAD GASKET

The purpose of the head gasket is to ensure there is no leakage of fluid in the engine cylinders and acts as a sealant. There is a possibility that your head gasket might be damaged due to the high temperature accumulated inside the car's engine.  It can cause oil leakage inside the car's engine and result in a pressure drop. You better hope that your head gasket is not blown because it is costly to repair or replace.

DAMAGED PISTON RING

The piston ring is located inside the engine cylinder and has a direct impact on the oil pressure. If the piston rings get damaged, it causes the oil to flow upwards, leading to oil leakage. As a result of this, your car's engine will consume excessive oil than usual, resulting in a drop in oil pressure significantly. If your piston ring is damaged, then you should get it replaced without any further delay.

LEAKAGE IN ENGINE

There are many different parts of the engine, and it can develop leakage in either of the components resulting in loss of oil and a drop in oil pressure. If the leakage is extensive, a warning light will pop up in your car telling you about the problem. If this happens, PitStopArabia recommends against operating the vehicle.

Instead, shut it down and get it checked immediately as it can damage your engine permanently. If the leakage is minor, detecting the exact location is complex, and no warning light pops up. This small leakage can accumulate with time and lead to severe consequences if not checked on time.

CLOGGED OIL FILTER

As the name indicates, oil filters are used for blocking impurities and debris from your engine oil so that they do not enter your engine and cause damage. If the filter is clogged or blocked, it will allow less oil to pass through your engine, and as a result, your oil pressure will drop. It is recommended to get your oil filter replaced when you get an oil change to ensure smooth passing of the oil.

Wrap Up

It concludes today's blog post. If you have any questions in mind, feel free to let us know. Lastly, we would like to stress that you never ignore the warning lights in your dashboard. They are there to caution you against malfunctions and other problems. Hence, please pay attention to them to avoid mishaps and costly repairs. Thank You.