Engine Problem

[81Cutty]

Oil/Choke light comes on after driving about 10-15 miles. About 2 miles of that is on a highway, the rest is on 35, 40 and 45mph roads. It doesn't come on until after I hit the highway and does it regardless if I warm it up for 5-10 or just wait a minute or two and go.

It really doesn't do anything when driving, the light just flickers when at a stop sign/light. When I get home the light continues to flicker and a whistling sound comes from the engine when it's in gear. The light nor the whistling sound occurs when it's in neutral. When it's in park the light will flicker and after a while the car will be idling, then the light will come on and the idle drops, then you can hear the engine rev itself up and the light goes away. The same thing happens when you rev it up yourself when the light comes on. After about 10 minutes the Check Engine like will come on with the Oil/Choke Light continuing it's thing. Then the Check Engine light will go away. I'll turn it off, turn it back on and it will continue to have those problems.

Any ideas? (V6, about 35k Miles, Rebuilt Computer Controlled Carb back in August)

 

[joe_padavano]

Any ideas?

Yeah. First, see if there are any stored codes. Second, temporarily install a mechanical oil pressure gauge and make sure low oil pressure at idle isn't the problem.

 

[billyjack]

I second the checkout with a mechanical oil pressure gage. Buick V-6's of that era were notorious for low oil pressure issues. Most of it is because of the aluminum front timing cover. There was actually a factory fix, an oil pressure sender that didn't trigger the light until pressure dropped to 7lbs., as opposed to the stock issue 10lb. light. Some "fix"! One of the reasons for the improvement in longevity of the later 3800 motors was the switch to a gerotor oil pump that delivered a minimum 30 psi at idle.
You can buy a "high volume" spacer kit for your pump, with longer gears and a steel cover plate. I would recommend it for any 231 V6 or 350-455 Buick V8. T/A performance is now offering a new front cover, but it's quite expensive. In any case, obtaining a true pressure reading with a mechanical gage should be the first step you take in diagnosis.
Bill

 

[megaladon6]

x3 on the oil pressure. i'm guessing that your bearings are too loose. the symptoms sound EXACTLY like that. a quick cheap "fix" is to put in heavier oil. (ie if you're runnin 10-30, go to a 10-40, preferrably a 20-50