will a bad oil filter cause the oil light to come on

I was driving my buick and the light came on. I had left the house 15 minutes earlier and was only doing 50 mph. I pulled over and checked it. it was 1 quart low. I have noticed a new leak. car is low miles 29k and does not get driven alot maybe 200 miles a year. It dawned on me that the oil filter is a couple of years old. there was no knocks bangs ect or anything else.

 

Unless the filter is nearly clogged I'd say no. Also 1 qt low should not bring it on either. did the light go out? Do you have an aftermarket guage to see what the pressure really is?

 

I see you say "oil light", so assuming you mean the original style warning system, a bad sending unit can cause this. I recently had the same problem, replaced the sender, all fixed.

Mike

 

Just asking, why leave an oil filter on that long? Change mine Spring and Fall no matter the mileage,

 

I would not do anything, not even start it until i had a mechanical oil gauge hooked up. Diag from there. Most likely the sender IMO.

 

Like Korrie, I change it every spring when I get it ready to come out to play. This time of year,I buy a couple new filters for my cars(all 6) as well as oils they require and have them ready for spring. I usually have 30 qts or somewhat new oil to drain but with my Powerstroke It doubles...lol I like to change the oil as I frequently start the cars and let them run till warm.Kinda a waste of oil,but still cheaper than a rebuild..

 

I dump my used oil in my Powerstroke. Burns just as well as diesel and I dont have 3 gals of used oil to drag down to the parts store.

 

A clogged filter should not cause the oil light to come on. If you look at a Buick oil pump there is a spring loaded valve where the filter screws on. I'm pretty sure that is a by-pass valve that still allows oil to circulate if the filter clogs or has high flow resistance. From what I understand, a new filter will flow nearly 100% of the oil and as the filter begins to resist flow the by-pass valve begins to open and as the filter ages less and less oil flows through the filter. I've been told that filter can begin by-passing in as little as 500 miles especially in cars that do not get frequent oil changes.

I always flush 2 qts of diesel fuel through the pan when I change oil and chase that with 1/2 qt of cheap oil (and this diesel mixed with oil still burns just fine so nothing's wasted). I can pull my dipstick 1,000 miles after an oil change and it's still crystal clear.

I would put a mechanical gauge on just to see what's really going on.

 

thanks Ill do sender unit fri or sat. the reason for oil filter being on there so long is that I dont really drive it It sits in my garage I dont drive the car hard either. it just goes out cruising. ill also do an oil change and clean out the spring in the oil pump

 

a car that still has its original oil filter usually sells for less than a car that doesnt.ou:

 

given the age and low use it , it could be the sending unit but it Sounds like the bypass valve in the pump is stuck open. had it happen to me once on a low mile buick. If the lifters are "talking" its definately starving for oil and time to pull the pump , inspect for the typical wear and if not damaged or worn, clean it up real good and rebuild it and pack with vasoline and give it a go. never ever ever dismiss the oil light, real bad stuff can and will happen. Daughters genius engineer boyfriend blew up his audi because he assumed the light was just a faulty sending unit earlier in the year. better yet, afetr cleaning the pump and inspecting and repacking it spend an extra 30 bucks and get an oil pressure guage and then you will know for sure whats going on with the oil system. :Smarty:

 

According to this video it will. *********WARNING****** Foul language is used freely...................http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGLr9NBFA1Q