I am new to the forum having just purchased a 2013 Skoda Fabia 1.6 HDI Monte Carlo. I am hoping to keep it for many years and have fitted an oil pressure gauge to monitor engine condition. I have fitted a Tee piece to the original oil pressure sensor at the rear of the head and connected the gauge sensor to it. Prior to fitting, the gauge and sensor were calibrated to check they were working ok. On starting the engine from cold the gauge reads 20 psi and rises to 30 psi at 1500 rpm but will go no higher as the revs increase. Does anyone know if there is a regulating valve fitted into the head to limit oil pressure or should it carry on rising with revs and if so what should the oil pressure be at normal cruising revs? I have spoken to the dealer (not a main VAG agent) who sold the car and they said its the incorrect place to connect the gauge. They are also unsure if the oil pressure can be checked via the OBD port but have agreed to have the car back for investigation. The car is covered by warranty so I am keen to make sure the engine is ok. Any help would be appreciated.

I'm not familiar with the terminology HDI, not a VW group description I think.

Assuming it's a 1.6 CR TDI, the workshop info suggests the following test criteria (with pre-condition of coolant temperature at 80° minimum):

Oil pressure when engine idling: min. 0.08 MPa (0.8 bar)

Oil pressure at 2000 rpm: min. 0.15 MPa (1.5 bar)

Oil pressure at higher engine speed: max. 0.5 MPa (5.0 bar)

The last one of those is perhaps the only one that is questionable on your engine. Try it again with engine at full operating temperature (after a run of say 15 minutes plus).

The oil pressure switch that you have tee'd into cannot give a numerical pressure reading to any control unit, it's just open or closed circuit switch to ground, so no diagnostic readout of oil pressure is available through the car's native systems.

Just took the car for a drive and got it up to normal temperature. Oil pressure at idle drops to 10 psi and 20-25 psi at 50 - 60 mph in 5th gear. Increasing revs in lower gears oil pressure will not go higher than 35 psi.

@fenny9 Welcome to the forum.

Not related to your question, but has your 1.6 TDI CR had the Emissions Fix carried out,

so the Engine Management software update, and a flow device fitted in the air intake?

There is nothing in the service history relating to this so probably not. What was the update for and what is the purpose of the flow device in the intake?

The purpose was because VW Group faced penalties so conned owners into a voluntary recall action.

I am surprised you want to know the oil pressure but do not know about defeat devices and the VW fraud.

If the Recall has not been done and is outstanding it might show as outstanding.

Some went to tuners and had THE FIX rolled back.

http://skoda-auto.com/services/recall-actions

Edited 13 August, 202513 Aug by Ootohere

Low oil pressure is likely to result in a blown engine so my its my priority at the moment.

I wasn't aware of the fraud so thanks for letting me know. I will check to see if my vehicle is listed as outstanding.

Tell me more about defeat devices?

I just read about the VAG Fraud and yes I do remember it but didn't associate it with Skoda.

Does anyone else have any input to the low oil pressure problem?

13 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

I'm not familiar with the terminology HDI, not a VW group description I think.

Yes, "HDi" is a Citroen/Peugeot badging.

Sorry it was a typo error. It is a TDI

@fenny9 low oil pressure could result in a blown engine, so if you have low oil pressure how to you intend addressing that issue?

A snapped cam belt is sometimes mentioned online regarding 1.6 TDI CR,s.

Has your been replaced or are you going to be doing that?

Edited 14 August, 202514 Aug by Ootohere

Car has just had a new cambelt fitted.

The main problem is I cannot find another entry into the main oil gallery other than the pressure switch at the top of the engine. Due to losses through the engine this would be the point of lowest oil pressure and hence the position of the switch. Since the hydraulic lifters are not clattering the oil pressure is probably ok but it would be nice to have a way of confirming this. I cannot see any other blanked off tapping so it would be interesting to know how VAG check the oil pressure. Maybe there is a VAG technician on this site?