Hi, I have a Skoda Fabia 1.4 year 2000, 16v engine. 

 

Recently my oil pressure light came on, I was just pulling into my road so parked up. The next morning there was oil underneath my car on the ground. I took it to a mechanic, they replaced the oil pressure switch as they said that’s the problem, however it didn’t fix it. He told me that he checked the pressure and it’s fine. 

 

My dad dad and I took off the undertry and wiped all oil off everything to get it clean and dry to try see where the leak is coming from. It seems to be coming from around the sump, does anyone know what I need to do here?

 

also, could the oil pressure light be coming on because it detects there is a leak (however small)? My dad thinks that it is two separate issues and the leak is something completely different. Obviously I don’t want to drive if there is a pressure problem but if it really is fine, and the switch has been changed I’m not sure what’s going on!

 

Any advice or similar experiences would be helpful

Checking it has oil in it is the first thing you need to do.

 

As far as i'm aware on the mk1 Fabia there is no level sensor but I could be corrected, therefore any oil light will be low pressure through lack of oil at the pick-up due to level or a blockage, a duff oil pump or a faulty sensor or maybe even sensor wiring.

 

If you've paid for a mechanic to diagnose and fix the issue and he has not I would want to take it back to him and get the bugger to sort it out but I would not drive the car until you know it actually has some oil pressure

Thanks for the reply . I checked the oil level and it’s definitely topped up, the leak from the sump is very small so isn’t losing much oil and am checking regularly. 

 

The mechanic said that he checked the wiring etc after replacing he oil pressure switch and seemed fine, he also said he checked he oil pressure and that it was fine.

 

my Dad and I have now ordered our own oil pressure testing kit to make sure for ourselves, and if the pressure is fine then maybe it’s an electrical problem?

 

we are doing an oil change and replacing the filter also, so will see what happens. My dad said the main thing is to check we have enough pressure and that it’s safe to drive

In a previous similar thread mk 1 fabia 1.4 petrol it was said the oil pressure switch on these engines is very common failure. Symptoms as described and leaking from the switch.

 

Other things to check is a blocked oil filter (when was it last changed?) and a blocked sump pick up, which requires sump to be dropped off.

Edited 15 September, 20187 yr by xman

The mechanic fitted a new oil pressure switch but the problem still persists :( I’ve bought a new oil filter and we are changing that now, the next thing to try would be the sump pick up I think, like you say. 

Oh and make sure there's not too much oil (well above max mark on dip stick) as that can lead to low oil pressure though aeration (bubbles in the oil caused by trashing it with the crank)

 

Change the oil at the same time you change the filter.

 

If the service history is that its regularly gone too long in the past on old oil, it may require an engine flush. Evidence for that is blocked filter or sump pick, look for sludge and other deposits in the sump if you drop it off.

Edited 15 September, 20187 yr by xman

Hi, thanks. So we did a full oil change and replaced the oil filter, it was actually leaking a bit at the plug you undo to empty the oil so we replaced that, seems to have stopped the leak. Drove 15 Miles various roads, acceleration etc and the oil pressure light has NOT come back on!  I’ll keep an eye on it though and hVe ordered a pressure tester so will check just in case

 

thanks 

On 15/09/2018 at 15:08, MaryElizabeth97 said:

it was actually leaking a bit at the plug you undo to empty the oil

Usually known as the "drain plug".

 

Anyway, and more to the point, when the oil light comes on is it red (low pressure) or yellow (low level)? Note that if you get a red light on a car with no level sensor it may indicate a low level.