Hey all,

Today the red oil pressure light started flashing and remained flashing until I managed to just get home. This isn't the first time however....

I got it briefly yesterday on a short trip and it went off again,(when I was going around a bend incidentally). Got home and realised the oil was low so today I topped it right up. Started a new journey and it was fine for 10 mins, but then it came on again an didn't turn off. In fact it only appears after a small amount of driving, never when it's turned on from cold.

2 things I've noticed recently (might be unrelated): The engine temp only gets to around 1/4 of the way instead of 1/2, has done for a while. I had this 2 years ago and replaced the sensor which fixed it. I'm also under the min level on the engine coolant (not drastically but noticeably).

Is this going to be a hugely expensive dealer repair? I'm a poor student! :-/

Thanks all

*Edit* I should add, the engine is making a slightly fluttery noise too, which I'm sure is new!

Edited 30 January, 201214 yr by jonboyuk

Very brave to run the engine with the red oil light warning on. If the oil pressure is low you could run the risk of causing serious engine damage.

The oil is thicker when cold, once warm it will be thinner and if the pump is weak it might not be able to create the correct pressure.

Has the oil and filter been changed at the correct service intervals and are you using the correct oil?

If the oil pressure is low the engine will be scrap.

Needs checking to see if it's electrical or mechanical, hope for your sake it's electrical.

Very brave to run the engine with the red oil light warning on. If the oil pressure is low you could run the risk of causing serious engine damage.

The oil is thicker when cold, once warm it will be thinner and if the pump is weak it might not be able to create the correct pressure.

Has the oil and filter been changed at the correct service intervals and are you using the correct oil?

Yes to both of your questions, I've just hit 60K three days ago, so I think it's service time anyway....the oil I use was just Halfords 10w40.

If the oil pressure is low the engine will be scrap.

Needs checking to see if it's electrical or mechanical, hope for your sake it's electrical.

Bugger. I have VAGCOM etc, is this something I can check using this (ie if the sensor is playing up or the pressure of the oil?)

The oil pressure sensor is not of self diagnostics. To check electrically disconnect the sensor (it's on the front of the cylinder head) and put the wire from the sensor to earth. If the light goes out and stays out the wiring and dash is ok. To test the oil pressure it will need an oil pressure gauge.

Just an update on this purely for the briskoda information knowledge base!

Well I replaced the oil pressure sensor and it didn't fix it. Took off the crankcase breather and it was full of gunk! Anyway the engine didn't seem to be breathing properly so that certainly helped. Gave it a reasonably drive and it was fine! However after 20 minutes, it went again. :/

Stopped, rang AA and when the guy was checking it over, he realised on removing the dipstick that the oil was really over viscous, not far off water consistency. Fortunately I broke down outside a garage, they emptied the oil, flushed it, replaced the oil and the filter.

Ever since it's been fine!!

Just an update on this purely for the briskoda information knowledge base!

Well I replaced the oil pressure sensor and it didn't fix it. Took off the crankcase breather and it was full of gunk! Anyway the engine didn't seem to be breathing properly so that certainly helped. Gave it a reasonably drive and it was fine! However after 20 minutes, it went again. :/

Stopped, rang AA and when the guy was checking it over, he realised on removing the dipstick that the oil was really over viscous, not far off water consistency. Fortunately I broke down outside a garage, they emptied the oil, flushed it, replaced the oil and the filter.

Ever since it's been fine!!

TOO many short trips?

Yes to both of your questions, I've just hit 60K three days ago, so I think it's service time anyway....the oil I use was just Halfords 10w40.

You are aware it is 10000 or 1 year for the oil change whichever comes first and if you do a lot of short trips I would consider more often with oil to correct spec.