Tech Tip: No oil pressure

May 26, 2022
Fixing a 2011 Subaru Forester with low or no oil pressure.

Vehicle: 2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5L

Problem: Low or no oil pressure

Case Details: The vehicle came in due to an oil leak. The technician found the timing cover was leaking. The technician removed and resealed the timing cover, including new O-rings. When he started the car and it idled normally, the oil pressure light came on, and the engine started knocking, so the technician removed the timing cover again to double check the O-rings, and they were all in place and in one piece. He started the car again, and the same issue persisted. The technician changed the oil and added oil treatment, but there was no change in the vehicle's status.

Confirmed repair: The technician cleared debris from the oil pump pickup tube and reinstalled the tube and oil pan. He put in fresh oil. The engine now has proper oil pressure, and the light did not come on again.

Reprinted with permission from SureTrack, a value-added feature available with select Snap-on diagnostics tools.

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