1995 Buick Riviera

1995 BUICK RIVIERA
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BLKLITNING
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Engine Mechanical problem
1995 Buick Riviera 6 cyl Automatic

i recieved this car as a gift after the motor had been rebuilt. After leaving work, my oil light came on. I added ,more oil and the oil was not out. So very concerned I asked a co worker and he informed me to add more oil, I informed him that the oil was in the xxxxx on the dipstick. He informed me that if the light is still on to add more, against my better judgement I did. The light did not go out. I took the car to a mechanic and was told the oil pump had went out but the price quoted was too steep for my purse. My neighbor, a mechanic informed my fiance that with there being metal in the oil, the engine would have to be replaced. Something about the bearings. Today my fiance called after talking to a coworker that also works on cars and told him that a new engine is not needed. drain the oil, and replace the oil pump and all will be fine since the bearings are in the oil pump, replacing it will remendy the problem which mechanic should I listen to?
Jan 12, 2009 at 12:24 PM
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JAMES W.
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Oil pumps very rarely go out. If your oil level was in the "xxxx" range, you shouldn't have added more oil. What you need to do is, with the engine warm, change the oil and filter, keeping the drained oil. Refill the oil to specs. Remove the oil pressure sending unit which will be down by the oil filter and in the sending unit's place, screw in a regular needle type pressure gauge. Start the engine and watch the gauge. On start up you should have 45 to 60 lbs pressure. As the engine warms up, pressure should drop to around 30 lbs at idle. If the oil pressure drops to 10 lbs or less, you have bearing problems in the engine.
Let the drained oil set in the pan for a day, then slowly pour the oil into another container leaving just a little in the bottom of the pan. What you're looking for is a silvery residue in the bottom of the pan. If this is present, that's bearing material indicating gross engine bearing wear.
If you're lucky, it might be just a defective oil pressure sending unit. That would be a cheap fix. Good luck.
Jan 12, 2009 at 1:57 PM
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