Hey everyone im new here and i just bought a 93 vr4 a couple of days ago.
Ok now the problem is when im idling the oil light comes on but when im driving its fine. I also did an oil change yesterday just in case the oil was bad but still the same thing. Basically when i drive it seems fine but when i come to a stop and wait for the light or something the oil light would flicker a little bit then come on. Another thing that happened was when i started the car an hour ago to pick up my brother i let the car idle a little bit to warm it up. The RPM started around 1000 rpm then went to around 7-900, then it dropped to like 500 and some smoke started coming out of the engine bay. This is when i turned off the car. I popped the hood to see where the smoke was from but couldn't tell. It was a kind of whitish smoke and i saw a little bit of some fluid and the right side of the car and on the right underside of the hood(looking as if standing in front of car looking towards engine). Couldn't tell what the fluid was and couldn't exactly smell it. Can anyone tell me whats going on?

Wow girl. You need yourself a full engine rebuild.

Flickering oil light means the oil pressure is under 9psi. That happens when bearing tolerances inside the engine wear out too much or when you are low on oil. It might also be possible the oil light sender is dieing, but don't get your hopes up on that if the oil pressure gauges also sits almost at the bottom.

For now, switch to a thicker oil like 20w-50 and start saving your pennies.

These cars have all sorts of fluids in them. Oil, coolant, tranny/gear oil, feul... Lots of places they can leak from too. What color is the fluid?

_________________
06 Blue EVO 9

the oil light isnt flickering... it kind of dim and then comes on... looking at the oil gauge im over the half way mark. i think the fluid is coolant i think theres coolant spraying from somewhere. I probably sound really dumb

Your over the halfway mark on the oil gauge when the oil light is on?

If its spraying and is white steam its more than likely coolant, driver side of the engine is where the water pump is, if thats the case I would not drive it anymore.

_________________
Matt
92 VR4

You sound like someone who needs help.

Oil light on is bad no matter what... Donno where you're located, but if you're close to Milwaukee, I'd take the car to Jeff (440 4x4 on here) and have him hook up a "real" oil pressure gauge to see what the exact PSI the oil pressure is at idel. Just curious if you have lifter tick too?

These cars always blow some white steam when they're warming up and it's cold out side especially if you don't have cat converters. Don't worry about that. If it's a real thick white fog that never goes away (even when the car is warm), that maybe a blown headgasket.

I can't tell you what is leaking or where without looking at it but Jeff could. Hopefully he'll see this thread too and chime in.

Definately change your oil right away to what I suggested before ASAP just in case.

Maybe I'm in denial, but I reject the absolute "flickering oil light = engine rebuild" theory. I just don't see how my motor -- with only 57,000 miles, well-cared for in the last 10,000 by me, and every sign that the two previous owners were equally as responsible -- could be due for a rebuild. I've had the flickering oil pressure light since Fall of 2005. I guess I'll have egg on my face next summer if the engine goes on me.

I guess a real oil pressue gauge should be my first mod in 2007, eh? Maybe replace the sender? I'd love to get it fixed or at least have the piece of mind of good readings on a different gauge. The oil light is annoying and scary.

Oh and Matt, I've replaced engines in cars which have spun a bearing with lower mileage that yours.

Chiming in

If you're around Milwaukee, let me know and I'll take a look.



Regarding the oil light debate - that will go on forever, or until all Mitsu products leave the planet.

Caring for a car will increase the ODDS of it lasting longer, but will not guarantee it. Even NA, low mileage engines have spun bearings - they've been here to visit... Be responsible, do what you can, and don't worry about it. If it happens, most likely you weren't going to prevent it. These engines are prone to bearing failure.

Now, on the other hand, if you're increasing the boost and not logging for knock - then that's a different story and you DID have control over that.

I'm guessing it's the low windshield washer fluid light...

ROFL! I did have a customer come in coplaining his oil light came on going around turns. Hooked up a mechanical gauge, took the car out for a drive, and the pressure never got below 17psi and the light never came on.

So I called the guy up and asked him what color the light was. Red or orange. He said orange. I told him to come get his car and be ready for a laugh.

If your around GB I can take a look for you.

shoot me a PM if you want. weekends work best for me. Otherwise, Jeff is probably better equipt to take a look.

_________________
Bad decisions make good stories.
Look at it! LOOK AT MY @SS AND TELL ME IT'S PRETTY!