97 Stratus with 54K bought used a month ago. Changed oil to 10W30 syn. Noticed the oil light flickers/comes on when hot at idle. The idle was kinda low (500 rpm) so I took it to the dealer. Adviser said throttle body & injectors needed cleaning plus oil pressure switch was leaking and bad. So they fixed those items and the cars runs smoother, better acceleration but the oil light still comes on after running at high speed on freeway and then stopping at a light. Engine idles at 750 rpm now, light goes out as soon as I touch the gas. Hard for me to believe the oil pump is going out at 54K. I did a search on this subject and most of the replies were oil switch (mine was replaced). Could it be the 10W-30 syn oil gets too thin when hot for this oil pump? No oil light when cold or just running around town for a bit. Should I go back to straight 30W dino oil and see if it makes a diff? What about using 10W-40 syn oil? I'll call the adviser back but he is going to want to sell me an oil pump. That is going to cost some $ bucks to fix as they have to take of lots of stuff to get to it. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hackman

 

Have you checked the oil pressure itself? Some diagnostic tools can give you a reading, or you could have them temporarily put a guage in so you can monitor the actuall pressure. I don't think the synthetic is "thinning" out. One of the advantages of synthetics is they hold their properties for a longer period of time and greater temperature ranges. I would not go to a heavier weight oil unless it is determined that your pressure is actually low and the pump is getting weak and even then only as a stop gap until the pump could be changed. It would surprise me if a pump with 54k would be that whipped. Good luck.