I have a 14 regal with 60,000 miles. At one point it was throwing a P0521 code and the mechanic changed the oil pressure switch and put in new filter/oil. Fast forward 3,000 miles and We get a warning and beeping that says engine oil pressure low, shut off engine. The mechanic is stating the oil system must just be weak because the oil pressure looks fine and might be right on the "border" when the oil starts to breakdown. He says we just need to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. This seems kind of crazy for a car with 60,000 miles. Any insight?
From reading through that bulletin with my limited knowledge, it sounds like there could be debris or the oil pump itself could be going faulty. This has just been our normal family mechanic working on it, no dealer work yet. Now that it has fresh oil in it the codes are cleared, I'm not seeing the issue yet. My family mechanic advised it might be time to trade this thing off. But, if I don't want to go that route does it make sense to drive it until the codes or the "low oil pressure" light come back on, then take it to the buick dealer, and refer them to this bulletin and tell them the back story?
You may want to verify the actual oil pressure using a mechanical gauge.
changed the oil pressure switch and put in new filter/oil
OEM? or a cheap Chinese one that's going to go bad quick.
mechanic is stating the oil system must just be weak because the oil pressure looks fine
So the engine is good.
@jack62 posted an absolutely great technical service bulletin, GM didn't build this engine correctly - and that flaw can also cause the check engine light and damage.
need to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles
Eh, check the oil's color and for particles to see for yourself.
This seems kind of crazy for a car with 60,000 miles
It's a GM, an exact copy of the Opel Insignia... so not really.
The European engines on these often completely blow completely (cracked pistons) before 60,000 miles.
From reading through that bulletin with my limited knowledge, it sounds like there could be debris or the oil pump itself could be going faulty. This has just been our normal family mechanic working on it, no dealer work yet. Now that it has fresh oil in it the codes are cleared, I'm not seeing the issue yet. My family mechanic advised it might be time to trade this thing off. But, if I don't want to go that route does it make sense to drive it until the codes or the "low oil pressure" light come back on, then take it to the buick dealer, and refer them to this bulletin and tell them the back story?
no dealer work yet
Good.
dealer mechanics are looking to sell you cars - not fix your one at a reasonable cost.
to me it sounds like it just needs a new OEM sensor for now (it shouldn't be too much, but it could be something else)
might be time to trade this thing off
Depends on how much you're being offered for it, and how easily (it at all) you can afford an upgrade.
then take it to the buick dealer, and refer them to this bulletin
First check if the TSB is applicable to you, it's about the LTG engine (the Opel A20 - 2.0 Turbo 4 cyl)
I remember most of these having a naturally aspirated 2.4 - and the procedure isn't applicable to those.
Besides at a dealer, ask about pricing first - they might want mid-$$$ to low-$,$$$ to perform it.