Oil warning light and alarm

[isaune]

Hi everyone

Just got back from a fantastic 500 mile round trip to Yorkshire and I would like to pick your brains about something.

I checked the oil before the out bound and home trips and there was plenty just a smidge over the top notch on the dipstick. Ok, a little too high but only just.

Anyway, the engine was going really well, temperature fine, no noticeable problems EXCEPT, once the engine had got hot, after an hour or so on the A1, when I slowed down, say at a junction or a roundabout, and the revs dropped, the oil light flickered and the buzzer sounded. As soon as the revs rose, when I got past the junction, both stopped.

I checked the handbook and learned that the flashing light is quite normal when slowing down at low revs with a hot engine that has been labouring, but there was no mention of the buzzer.

I have seen the warning light a few times before in similar circumstances but have never heard the buzzer.

Should I be concerned, or is the buzzer normal with a hot engine when slowing down on low revs.

I know that the warning light can come on without the buzzer so I'm wondering what in particular causes the buzzer to sound.

Grateful for your advice.

Thanks

Ian

Ps what is the best oil for this 1986 2.1 litre automatic Caravelle?

[Ian Hulley]

Should I be concerned, or is the buzzer normal with a hot engine when slowing down on low revs.

Yes be concerned, it's classic symptoms of of when you would have a drop in oil pressure. Engine oil should always be 15w/40 MINERAL, try an oil change ... if you are running the wrong oil that may account for it but I wouldn't be blaming the sensors/wiring for that one as it sounds correct. If the problem persists it would be a good idea to have an oil pressure test done (wet and dry) at a garage.

Ian.

[kevtherev]

I'd even go to a 20/50 mineral
Now the warmer weather is here
Change it and get it tested though as Ian says

No cooling issues I hope?

[AdrianC]

I know that the warning light can come on without the buzzer so I'm wondering what in particular causes the buzzer to sound.

There are two oil pressure sensors in the engine. One only operates at higher revs, above 2000rpm, and at a higher pressure. The buzzer is only in conjunction with that one. If you have very low pressure, below 2000rpm, you'll only get the light.

VW's own recommendations for oil are on page 72 of the owner's handbook.
http://www.westfaliat3.info/VW_T25_Inst ... iaT3WM.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[isaune]

Thanks all for the advice.

I think the bulk of the oil in the engine is 10/40 which, looking at Adrian's link and Ian's comment, is probably a bit ow for Summer.

Funnily enough, I have just bought 5 litres of 15/40 (for topping up) but I am now thinking it would be wise to have an oil change and refill with this.

Adrian - your point regarding the buzzer only coming on at high revs is a bit weird as it seems to be coming on not at 3000/4000 motoring but instead at 1500/2000 slowing down and then staying on until you accelerate away.

Kev - no - no cooling issues thankfully - that was last year!!! lol

Final question - the handbook suggests only a qualified technician should change the oil - do you agree or is it straightforward?

Thanks Chaps

Ian

[AdrianC]

Final question - the handbook suggests only a qualified technician should change the oil - do you agree or is it straightforward?

It's straightforward. Just don't gorilla away and overtighten the drain plug.

[Ian Hulley]

Never put 10/40 semi-pathetic in ... always the olde styleee 15/40 mineral. Change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles perhaps with a new oil filter every other change ... I do this and I know a lot of those of us who've had these vans for a long time do exactly that. Running as we do on lpg the oil isn't dirty enough to need a filter but you can hear and feel that it's ready for a change.

Personally I would be disinclined to run 20w/50 as it may be masking the issue if you really do have low oil pressure, but that of course is up to you.

I believe the sensors are working just fine, as I said before that is a classic time you will get a drop in oil pressure and the system has merely confirmed that.

Ian

[isaune]

OK - thanks you chaps.

New oil (15/40 mineral), new filter and a 250 mile round trip to Eastbourne then Whitstable successfully negotiated on a hot bank holiday and not a sign of the buzzer or the flashing red light!!

Job done

Until the next one of course

[col.decker]

I'm having this issue with mine too.

Except my oil light and buzzer comes on at seemingly random intervals, fer example, driving along at a steady speed, no hills, no corners. Light and buzzer come on for a few seconds, then go off. A few mins later and they're back on again.
I've done an oil change (15/40 mineral) and its made no difference so I'm thinking it could be either: a dodgy warning switch, or a sign that the oil pump is on its way out.

any thoughts?

[ghost123uk]

WIKI and also WIKI 2