IN A TOYOTA AVALON, WHY DOES THE OIL PRESSURE READ AT ABOUT 60 LBS ON START THEN DECREASES TO ZERO IN 10 SECS?

Question

TOYOTA AVALON 2001 V.6 3.0.

AFTER I CHANGED THE TIMING BELT, IDLER PULLEY FOR THE TENSIONER CAR STARTS EASILY. OIL LIGHT GOES OUT IMMEDIATELY, BUT COMES ON IN ABOUT 10 SECS AND STAYS ON. PRESSURE MEASURES ABOUT 60LBS WITH POUND PRESSURE GAUGE AND THEN DECREASES TO ZERO AND STAYS AS SUCH. REPEATS SAME PATTERN AT HALF HOUR INTERVALS.

Answer 1

If you have taken the pressure readings with a mechanical oil pressure gage there must be a problem with the oil pump.

If you have been depending on electrical oil pressure readings, change the electrical sending unit and try that. If that does not do it change the light gage on the dash.

You have something weird going on. If it actually was an oil pump problem you woulden't have good pressure at start-up.

Answer 2

I love Toyotas, but Im not a pro. So I think that it may be the oil pump going bad or the sensor malfunctioning. I would take it to a toyota specialist and let them put it on a machine. Really, you should. 60 dollars an hour for an analysis is cheaper than an engine. They are really great vehicles, do not get discouraged. God bless and good luck

Answer 3

Sounds like you messed something up. Is the tensioner oil pressure driven or spring loaded? If oil pressure driven, I would guess you whacked it on re assembly. Hope you saved enough on do it yourself to pay for the repair.