> i have a 1997 grand caravan with the v6 engine we've had a slow oil
> leak for a while know, put in about a quart every few weeks, but
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> puzzled
It is almost certainly simply in need of a new oil pressure switch -
very common. Usually due to an internal leak in the switch throwing off
its calibrated trip point off, it trips at a pressure slightly higher
than what it is supposed to - the lowest running pressure it will see is
at idle in gear. When you pop it into neutral or park, the engine idle
speed increases just enough to open the switch and turn the light off.
Replace the pressure switch. But for peace of mind, you might also have
the pressure checked.
Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')
Ken Weitzel - 24 Dec 2005 19:24 GMT
>> i have a 1997 grand caravan with the v6 engine we've had a slow oil
>> leak for a while know, put in about a quart every few weeks, but
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Replace the pressure switch. But for peace of mind, you might also have
> the pressure checked.
Hi...
Not a mechanic, furthest thing from it - an old retired electrical guy,
so take whatever I say with a grain of salt...
In this case just wondering if no one else noticed the dipstick oil
level being three inches over the full mark.
Take care.
Ken
Bill Putney - 24 Dec 2005 20:22 GMT
> Not a mechanic, furthest thing from it - an old retired electrical guy,
> so take whatever I say with a grain of salt...
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Ken
Good catch, Ken - I skipped right over that part. However, if that were
going to cause problems, it would be in high speed engine operation
(whipping/aeration). Perhaps someone kept adding oil thinking
incorrectly that that would fix a low oil pressure situation (sometimes
people equate *level* of oil with oil *pressure*). But I think probably
in this case, the over-fill of oil is unrelated to the oil light coming
on only at idle in gear (I could of couse be wrong).
Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')