jhscott

I have an ES300 with ~175,000 miles on it. Two months ago, I was driving on the highway when the oil pressure light came on. I drove another 10 or so miles before I could get to somewhere I could be picked up. Had the car towed to my usual mechanic.

The mechanic flushed the oil system and produced a great deal of sludge, which may or may not have included metal shavings from the piston rings. They also decided the oil pressure senor was bad and replaced it. I changed the oil again two weeks later and the filter was clean. Now, the oil pressure light came on again. I drove it only 100 m before I able to stop and get a tow. The mechanic measured the oil pressure and decided it was "low". Flushed the system again, with no more sludge coming out and put in a new sensor. The oil pressure light is now ought again, but my mechanic predicts it will come on again. He suggests nothing can be done except replace the engine.

What might be causing this low oil pressure that can be fixed without a complete overhaul or replacement?

LeX2K

2003 is not known for engine sludge but it will happen on any engine that is neglected. What was the measured oil pressure? Since this keeps happening I'd say the engine is not long for this world.

jhscott

Thanks you for responding! I will look. Do you happen to know if such data is normally collected by measuring directly from a tap or through a sending unit?

LeX2K

Depends on the gauge being used some are purely mechanical oil is sent through a tube into a gauge. Or it can be an electronic sending unit going to a gauge either way they thread in place of the stock sending unit.