Does air goes out of the cap of the cylinder-head cover? Is it OK to have a blinking oil pressure light?

Question

Does air comes out of the cylinder-head cover even if the engine is in good condition? Is it also OK to have a blinking oil pressure light at low rpm?

Answer 1

Firstly, the steam you see escaping (as previously stated) is blowby venting from the crankcase, a certain amount of this is inevitable, too much is a sign that your cylinder bores and/or rings are worn. Unless you have oil consumption or low power, it probably isn't problematic.

Secondly, a blinking oil light is not a good thing, DO NOT ignore it. You say specifically that it blinks at low rpms, I translate this to mean that it doesn't do it at higher rpms, if I'm incorrect then this may not apply. The blinking light is trying to tell you the oil pressure is momentarily falling below the "safe" zone at which point the light is triggered, usually the preload is either 5 or 8 PSI, very little in either case. There are a myriad of possible causes for low oil pressure, a plugged oil sump screen, weak oil pump (pitted/worn rotors), worn rod/main bearings, or oil dilution from fuel, or engine coolant, all common causes. It is also very possible the sender that tells the Oil light to illuminate is malfunctioning, but banking on this could damage your engine if oil pressure is in fact low. The bottom line is, driving it with the oil light on is a gamble, the wise thing to do is have it looked at by a professional, soon!

Answer 2

I would first like to know what year, make and model car your talking about. However if it is a car from the 80's or newer then the answer is no. You shouldn't have air coming out of the cylinder head cover(Known as a valve cover). Your oil pressure light shouldn't be blinking either it could be a sign of a very serious problem with the oil pump. Or your loosing oil pressure because of the valve cover. You need to take your car to a mechanic best place is your car dealer. Then you can get an idea of what is wrong. I like to take my vehicles to the dealer to have them diagnose what is wrong with the vehicle then take it to a local garage to see what they say. You can learn a lot about cars that way. You can also confirm what the dealer says about the problem. Sounds like you may need a new head gasket. Check your oil to see if it is a creamy color(Tan or light brown). Also when you check the oil smell it to see if it smells like gas. If it is then you have a blown head gasket and you could blow the engine. You should maintain any vehicle you own and if you don't have enough knowledge of auto's have someone you trust look at a vehicle with you before you buy it. My Son finally has learned that if he is going to buy a vehicle to ask me along. He has learned over the years how and what to look for on his own now. You never do well buying an older car with high mileage on it. They are the one's that I stay away from. Better to pay a little more than to pay a lot latter because you have to have the car on the road...Best of Luck to you...

Answer 3

Replace your pcv valve and breather filter if equipped.A blinking oil light is either low oil,no oil pressure,or a faulty sensor.Make sure oil is full.If it isn't top it off and see if the light goes away.If it doesn't go away then check or replace the oil sending unit sensor.If you still get the light then stop running the motor and have it towed to a shop.It may be an oil pump but at this point you have to decide weather or not you want a new engine rather then spend the money for an oil pump relacement on an old engine.

Answer 4

Blinking oil light is not acceptable under any conditions. Oil is one of the most critical things in your engine. You should get this looked at immediately. You drive your car around without oil pressure and you will be replacing the engine very quickly.

This cracks me up. I have read all of the responses and I think that they are all pretty darn good. i.e. you better look into the oil light issue. Yet some jackass comes through and puts a thumbs down on all of them. Except the last one. Which makes me think he is the jackass. Do you get extra points for putting thumb downs?

Answer 5

it truly is extra indicative of worn piston earrings and cylinder bores - no longer the top gasket. Worn cylinders/earrings, reason crankcase compression, which will educate as severe back rigidity and likely some oil loss with the filler cap bumped off. i'm afraid the restoration is a recon or rebuilt engine. A compression attempt will make sure this, even with the reality that your valve seats will also be worn, so anticipate to confirm fairly a low interpreting.

Answer 6

First, that air is called "blow-by". It could be caused by a bad PVC valve or engine wear. The oil pressure light is another problem. You either need to add some oil, have a bad sensor, or engine wear at the main bearings. Put the two together, you may need to think about replacing the motor.

Answer 7

Oil senders are a maint. item. They are made overseas now and do not last long. A leaky rocker arm gasket can cause you to lose vac.this will set off a check engine light.

Answer 8

Blinking oil pressure light.... no thats not ok.... that shows your oil pump is weak, it will probaly fail soon too. On your valve covers you have the breather cap, that is normal.