Hi guys, yesterday while driving in my mk1 Octavia VRS I noticed that through a journey of around 25 miles, the exhaust had begin to blow very slightly by the end of it. The exhaust I have on the car is a whole blueflame system - downpipe and sports cat with a cat-back following it. Anyway I didn't think much of it, just a normal small blow I thought, so was planning to get it booked in to the garage the next day. But within the last 2 or 3 miles of the journey, an engine management light came on - its orange and the best way I can describe it is that it looks like a tap. Don't have an owners manual at the moment so unsure where to check. Does anyone have any ideas what it is? havn't looked under the car yet but it sounds like its coming from near the downpipe / manifold end of the exhaust system. If it helps, in neutral if the engine is revved, you can hear a 'whistling' among other noises as the revs come down.

Thanks a lot for any help - as I have no clue if I should be using the car still or not, so atm it is as good as out of action as I don't want to cause damage to anything else without knowing.

Sounds like it could be the oil level warning light.

Sounds like it could be the oil level warning light.

Is it often a faulty light or sensor on these cars though? I only ask because the oil level is fine, the car has never actually used any oil really. Only problem I noticed is the exhaust.. no weird noises from the engine or loss of power.

Oil level warning symbol is an oil top up can with a drip coming out of the spout.

Edited 22 November, 201015 yr by pauldazzle

could be because the exhaust is blowing. do you have access to vag com or a code reader?

ive had this code http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16555/P0171/000369

and my system is blowing i think (or it sounds like it is) so need to check downpipe to manifold bolts

Engine Oil level warning lamp

When warning lamp lights up -check the engine oil level as soon as possible and top up with oil if necessary. If warning lamp flashes, take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the oil level sensor checked.

Engine oil pressure too low

If this warning lamp starts to flash, and is accompanied by three acoustic warnings, switch off the engine and check the engine oil level. Failure to observe the warning lamps and the associated descriptions and warning texts could result in injury or damage to the vehicle.

I'd be concerned that it's the 1st sign of a blocked oil pick up strainer.

Engine Oil level warning lamp

When warning lamp lights up -check the engine oil level as soon as possible and top up with oil if necessary. If warning lamp flashes, take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the oil level sensor checked.

Engine oil pressure too low

If this warning lamp starts to flash, and is accompanied by three acoustic warnings, switch off the engine and check the engine oil level. Failure to observe the warning lamps and the associated descriptions and warning texts could result in injury or damage to the vehicle.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

It isn't either of those two pictures that you've posted, i've tried and failed to find a picture of the particular light, the best way I can describe it is a yellow light that looks similar to a tap. Other than the blowing exhaust and whistling noise coming from it, the car runs as it always has done, doesn't really use noticably more fuel and hasn't lost any power. I'm leaning towards thinking that it is either the downpipe connection or the cat, because something sounds rattly, but this warning light is worrying me because I havn't got a clue what it is.

I'd be concerned that it's the 1st sign of a blocked oil pick up strainer.

This did cross my mind, but is it purely a huge coincidence that the exhaust started blowing this badly when the engine management light came on? I've had no real problems with the car in 8000 miles, so for both to happen and not be related seems a bit of a strange idea to me.

is it like this?

rubbish pic pinched of the net octavia doesnt say check engine tho.

Edited 22 November, 201015 yr by sivrs

I have one that could be described as looking like a like a square tap. According to the manual, it's "Control System for Exhaust".

is it like this?

rubbish pic pinched of the net octavia doesnt say check engine tho.

Yeh thats just what the light looks like. Anyone have an idea what it is?

The EML could mean a number of things, you really need a VCDS scan to pinpoint the fault

that is your engine mangement light.

with the code i get (link posted in earlier post) my car performs no different and everything else has been checked so the exhaust is my last port of call

The EML could mean a number of things, you really need a VCDS scan to pinpoint the fault

+1

Just in case you have not noticed it before:

VAG-COM Diagnostic System (VCDS) Owners Map

Find the member closest to you, click on their profile to check that they are still an active member (see when they were last logged on to Briskoda) then send them a PM (personal message)

mine has just come on tonight , awesome gti said the baffles in my backbox may have gone , would this bring the light on?

mine has that symbol and the owners manual says- "Control System for Exhaust". (the symbol in mine doesnt have check engine) - says its an engine electronic system or exhaust ?

Is it okay to drive the car ??? it doesnt feel or act any different - although it does seem a bit keen on juice ???.

ant