Octavia 1.4 Tsi registered Feb 2012 (61 plate)

 

I have the above car, i have started having the low pressure oil warning light come on. The car is also very sluggish around the 80mph mark and wont go much faster especially in 6th gear.

 

I plan tomorrow to change oil, oil filters etc

 

Could this issue be as simple as changing the filter or would i need to change the oil pump or maybe something else?

 

If i have to change oil pump, where is this located and how do i do it? Not able to find a video on the net

 

TIA 

 

Matt

 

The oil pumps are pretty bullet proof and would normally last for millions of miles, the gauze strainer on the pick up pipe being partially blocked is the likely culprit, probably because someone has used gasket sealer or worse silicone sealer somewhere on the engine.

Sorry for lacking knowledge. Is the gauze strainer inside the the oil sump? 

Where is the pick up pipe?

I hope you have stopped trying to do 80mph since you have had oil pressure issues.

 

First port of call is to get a pressure gauge and find out if its genuine, then you can decide if its a knackered sensor, a blocked pick up pipe, a tired pump (unlikely) or excessive clearances in the engine (also unlikely unless you come back and tell us it knocks a bit and has 300k on the clock)

 

Have you checked the basics like the oil level?

 

 

I was doing 80mph the night before the low pressure warning light came on.

 

I have a pressure tester, where is the best place to attach it? Also what should be an ideal bar or psi?

 

Engine sounds fine, no unusual noises, and drives normally at low speeds (0 - 50ish)

See if the oil on the tip of the dipstick smells of petrol.

 

Pressure is generally measured by removing the pressure switch and screwing the test device in there instead.

Not sure on pressure criteria, but should be checked with oil at full operating temperature (80+C). See what numbers are at idle and at 2k rpm.

Should be able to find specs tomorrow.

Could just be a failing pressure switch, look for oil oozing out of/through it.

Engine performance problem may be unrelated.

@MattLloyd85Do you know when the Oil & filter was last changed, miles or date and do you know if it was like 5w 40 FS so VW502 00 or maybe Long Life oil like 5w 30 FS so VW504 00 / 507 00.

 

I would put in 5w 40 FS this time.

?

How many miles has the car done?

Edited 31 January, 20233 yr by toot

12 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

See if the oil on the tip of the dipstick smells of petrol.

 

Pressure is generally measured by removing the pressure switch and screwing the test device in there instead.

Not sure on pressure criteria, but should be checked with oil at full operating temperature (80+C). See what numbers are at idle and at 2k rpm.

Should be able to find specs tomorrow.

Could just be a failing pressure switch, look for oil oozing out of/through it.

Engine performance problem may be unrelated.

 

Where is the pressure switch located?

11 hours ago, toot said:

@MattLloyd85Do you know when the Oil & filter was last changed, miles or date and do you know if it was like 5w 40 FS so VW502 00 or maybe Long Life oil like 5w 30 FS so VW504 00 / 507 00.

 

I would put in 5w 40 FS this time.

?

How many miles has the car done?

It hasn't been serviced for a few years. I've only just bought the vehicle so my plan is to service it today, changing oil and filters etc

 

I want to pressure test as well to see if there are any leaks, what would be the best way to do this?

 

The car is on 107k

Best get that new oil and filter and get the oil hot / warm in the engine and do the oil and filter change. 

 

Was the oil that is in at a high enough place on the dipstick when checked cold or when hot?

 

Where is it now on the dipstick?

 

 

Edited 1 February, 20233 yr by toot

40 minutes ago, MattLloyd85 said:

 

Where is the pressure switch located?

Dunno on your engine, often in front right or rear left corner of engine head, but not always. Generally the only single-wire electrical plug to be found.

If you can tell me your engine code (letters ahead of engine number on V5c) I may be able to find the location out (usually just by scrutinising images in ebay listings of that engine code).

 

4 hours ago, toot said:

Best get that new oil and filter and get the oil hot / warm in the engine and do the oil and filter change. 

 

Was the oil that is in at a high enough place on the dipstick when checked cold or when hot?

 

Where is it now on the dipstick?

 

 

 

Thanks for the diagram above, the oil level was half way up the crossed area of the dipstick if that makes sense.

 

On changing the oil and oil filter, the oil that i took out, was thick and black.

 

Once the oil change was carried out i have driven the car around 15 miles, on slower roads and duel carriageway. The oil pressure warning has not come back up yet. Fingers crossed.

 

However i am now getting a code P0299 Turbocharger/Supercharger underboost, which is why the car is not performing as well as it should. Yet another problem!

 

 

 

Others will be able to help with the Code Logged.   Maybe that is historic. Have you cleared it now?

 

Have you looked at the air filter, seen there is one, replaced it if dirty.

Check the airbox is closed tight, the intake pipes and joints are all tight, and generally  around the engine.

 

Have you taken the spark plugs out yet and inspected and checked closely checked the gap, or replaced? 

Just now, toot said:

Others will be able to help with the Code Logged.   Maybe that is historic. Have you cleared it now?

 

Have you looked at the air filter, seen there is one, replaced it if dirty.

Check the airbox is closed tight, the intake pipes and joints are all tight, and generally  around the engine.

 

Have you taken the spark plugs out yet and inspected and checked closely checked the gap, or replaced? 

 

I haven't cleared the code, i will though, but i doubt if it will make any difference, as the car is definitely not performing as it should

 

I changed the air filter when i did the oil change.

 

Haven't checked sparks yet, will do that this afternoon.

 

Thanks

 

 

What did the air filter look like dirt wise?

39 minutes ago, toot said:

What did the air filter look like dirt wise?

It was clogged a quite a bit. Ive thrown it out now.