2002 Buick Redezvous 3.4L 113,000

MIKEBUR73

MEMBER
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

Whats happening is my scanner picked up a code saying the oil pressure switch is registering low oil pressure. No lights ever came on in the dash. However when I first start it up when its cold the engine makes a light rattling tapping noise for a minute then quietens down. As scared as I was I looked into this.I was using a fram oil filter then heard about them not having an anti drainback valve and replaced it with a NAPA Gold filter and put Penzoil 5/30W oil recommended. After a week or 2 I checked to see that code and its back.I then took out the pressure switch and put a handheld oil pressure gauge on it and read 40 to 45 PSI @ 1850 RPM.I called the dealer to find out the oil pressure reading and was told 60 PSI @1850 RPM.I looked at ARRC online database and said 15 PSI@1110 RPM.I am very confused and prepared to throw money at it but dont want to pull the engine. Im thinking oil pump, relief valve or bearings. The last thing I want to do is damage my engine as I have 5 more years to pay it off. Ive always changed the oil as soon as the maintenance light came on. One last note before I bought this car the previous owner had the intake manifold gasket replaced as it was leaking coolant a common problem with these engines not sure if water got into the crank case or how much the engine overheated. Any information or similar experiences or known problems, fixes would be helpfull. Thanks Mike?

3 Replies

CLY

MECHANIC
308 POSTS

Can you tell me what code they got out of the pcm? I will try and help you.

Cly

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Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 AT 4:20 PM

MIKEBUR73

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I scanned the vehicle today and that same code P1189c is still there. Since I last wrote you I added 1.5 L of Lucas oil stabalizer and cleaned the throttle body and Idle Air Control Motor. Thanks Mike

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Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 AT 5:40 PM

CLY

MECHANIC
308 POSTS

Ok. The rattling noise on first start-up is a piston to pin clearance issue. Most all of them do it the only way to get rid of the noise is to replace the pistons and pins with teflon coated ones and once the teflon wears off of those your noise is back. As long as the noise only last a short time you should be fine.

On to the p1189. When you tested the oil pressure did you test it at the oil pressure sending unit? In the gm manual they show a gauge that screws on were the oil filter goes and they check it there. On this tool is a valve That can block off the oiling system to check the pump if the pressure comes up the pump is ok and the problem is in the oiling system (i.E bearings, oil pick-up tube est.) It maybe worth having it checked and isolated.

You said that the intake gaskets had been replaced. I have seen were enough coolant had gotten in the engine to wash-out bearings. All that coolant in the motor gets all nasty. Can you take a light and look in the valvecover under the oil cap and see if it looks gumed up? You may want to try some rislone(not sure if I spelled that right) you put it in and run the motor for awhile before you change the oil and it breaks that stuff down. Make sure and inspect the terminals at the switch to make sure the are not spread open.

Cly

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