Having problems..., Oil light Options

[Tenchi]

When I start the car the oil light stays on for a couple of seconds or until I accelerate a little. I checked the oil level and its fine. I changed the oil not too long ago. Actually this has been happening for a while now. Now I am noticing that the car does not have the pick up it used to. It sounds like it is struggling a bit. Any idea what it could be??

It is a 1995 Celica GT Automatic with about 98k miles on it. I had a tune up last November at around 90k miles. Had the timing belt and tensionar and a couple of bearings replaced at around 92k miles due to the tensionar snapping off (wasn't pretty, but the car survived). Any suggestions??

This post has been edited by Tenchi: May 10, 2004 - 12:15 PM

[97GTinKC]

You may want to try a different brand of oil filter, these engines require one WITH the anti-drainback valve. otherwise the engine has to re-fill the filter before you get pressure. I'd get a genuine Toyota filter and see if you still have the oil light problem. I have noticed some brands supposedly with the anti-drainback valve still drain overnight. As far as the sludge, Use a good synthetic like Amsoil and you shouldn't have any problems. ALL engines will build up sludge with cheap oil and poor maintenance.
As far as performance, we're SOL...try driving something even slower for a while (like my wife's Protege automatic) you will then appreciate what little you do have.

edit: oil light staying on when 1st starting is also a good reason to stay with the lower weight oils like 5w30, (I use the Amsoil series2000 0W30) they are somewhat thinner and will pump easier, thus getting oil to all the parts that much quicker (not to mention it takes more horsepower to pump a 20W50, and stock engine internal clearances weren't designed for the heavier oils)

This post has been edited by 97GTinKC: May 11, 2004 - 10:30 AM