1.6 Diesel CS NO OIL PRESSURE

[realaledrinker]

I would like to share with you a recent experience I had which will hopefully prevent anyone else enduring the same pain.

I’m no trained mechanic, & I’m completely self taught so what I’m about to describe might be simple to the educated amongst us, but I must share.... (I've only had my first T25 6 weeks)

I had driven 100 miles since purchasing my van & my Oil warning light was flashing. No buzzer, although the electrics are so poor, I wouldn’t be surprised if the buzzer had been disconnected.
I checked the oil level & it was low, so I added 1ltr. After running the engine for 20 seconds, it was still flashing.
I thought I’ll take it down the road & let the oil circulate. The engine cut out after I changed into 3rd gear. I re-started and pulled away, but again the engine cut out almost straight away.
Unfortunately I had to have the RAC tow me home, they removed the oil pressure sensor mounted on the oil filter housing & showed my there was no oil pressure.
After searching this forum & a few others it sounded like the oil pump had failed.
I purchased a new oil pump & replaced it. Obviously draining the oil & fitting a new oil sump gasket & 4.5 Ltrs of new oil. I also changed the oil filter.
I then started the engine, & the oil light was still flashing. After removing the oil pressure sensor, there was still no oil pressure..
I checked the sensor & this all seemed ok.
I removed the cam belt cover & other covers to make sure everything was working correctly.
To my surprise, the shaft pulley that drives the oil pump was not spinning.
I thought the shaft had snapped, so I opened the view port next to the oil filter housing and turned the pulley. This all turned ok???
I then started the engine & came to the back to look at the engine. The shaft pulley had stopped spinning?? I stopped the engine.
I then turned it again with my spanner. Upon closer inspection;
To my surprise, I saw a loose bolt wedged between the intermediate shaft pulley & the engine! I couldn’t believe it. I used some pliers to pull this soul destroying bolt out & re-started the engine. Oil pressure was returned! RESULT!. However, the bolt had really damaged the pulley and had taken chunks out of it. Furthermore the cam belt had been rubbing against a non moving pulley & was starting to fray. Fortunately I had caught it just in time. I was able to purchase a replacement pulley from VW which was about £50 + VAT, I also changed the cam belt.
Well pleased it’s sorted, & still can’t believe it. I hope nobody else has to go through the same pain & checks no stray bolts have stopped the pulley in the case of no oil pressure.
Enjoy the dream that is the T25……
Lloyd

[kit]

Similar thing happened to me when the mechanic fitted a new brake vacuum pump, he had not lined it up properly and the cam belt nearly burnt out.

[wragster]

Well done matey, saved yourself a few quid there!