[Bearhawke]

Long story short: whenever I start up my 1994 Dodge Caravan with the 3.3L V6; the oil pressure light stays on for a few seconds. Note the vehicle just over 200K miles on what I assume is the original engine. I change the oil and filter ca. every 3K miles.

Is the 3.3L noted for losing oil pressure units at a certain mileage or am I looking at the possibly of the engine dying? I bought the van used almost two years ago with ca. 180K miles and it's been good thus far.

 

[fjb37]

You could have a oil pressure sending unit going bad but the only real way to tell is to connect a real pressure gage in its place.
The minimum pressure @ idle with the engine fully warmed is 5 psi. At 3000 RPM, 30-80 psi. The switch minimum actuating pressure is 2-4 psi.

I assume you don't have a full gage set as I do in my 94 GC. Just my $0.02.

FredB

 

[Bearhawke]

You could have a oil pressure sending unit going bad but the only real way to tell is to connect a real pressure gage in its place.
The minimum pressure @ idle with the engine fully warmed is 5 psi. At 3000 RPM, 30-80 psi. The switch minimum actuating pressure is 2-4 psi.

I assume you don't have a full gage set as I do in my 94 GC. Just my $0.02.

FredB

No gauge handy.

The oil light stays on for a few seconds after a cold start but goes off almost immediately after being started when still warm.

 

[peterjon1]

Most likely the sending unit.

 

[KOG]

They don't die at a certain mileage, but they do fade with age. I've replaced a couple of those sending units.