Club 80-90 Forums

Hi,

Van is a 1988 1.9 DG Caravelle, petrol.

If I start my engine from cold and leave it to idle the oil pressure warning light does not come on at all. However once I have driven for about half an hour (ie the engine is warmed up) the oil pressure warning light comes on intermittently at idle (and only idle).

I have changed the oil and there is Comma 15/40 to the correct VW spec in there and it’s still doing it.

Any ideas what could be causing this? I’ve had a look at the wiring and it seems fine, plus if it was an electrical fault surely it would do it all the time?

Thanks for your help

Does the light go out if you rev the engine ? If you get over 2,000 rpm the B.O.D. should go off if you really have oil pressure issues. I'd get a new sender (the one between the pushrod tubes) from Brickwerks.

Ian.

Ian Hulley wrote:Does the light go out if you rev the engine ? If you get over 2,000 rpm the B.O.D. should go off if you really have oil pressure issues. I'd get a new sender (the one between the pushrod tubes) from Brickwerks.

Ian.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply Ian.

To get the light to go out you only have to increse the revs ever so slightly, I would think staying well under 2000 rpm. I have replaced the sender between the pushrod tubes, but with one from GSF.

Presume you are using MINERAL oil, not semi synth?

T

tonytech wrote:Presume you are using MINERAL oil, not semi synth?

T

I have used Comma Super 15w40 which says on the can is "Enhanced Mineral" oil. It was sold to me as mineral though and it does meet VW 501 01

Thanks

jswagger wrote: I have replaced the sender between the pushrod tubes, but with one from GSF.

Sadly these are known to be unreliable but that doesn't mean to say that a proper Brickwerks one will tell you a different story.

What's the story on the engine ? Mileage ? Last oil pump ? Knocks and rattles ? Does it have the second sensor near the oil pump ? WE may be shooting the messenger with this and it needs a new oil pump ?

I'm assuming that you haven't been listening to the hard of thinking who like to think you can put semi-pathetic oil in an old flat four wbxer ?

Ian

Ian Hulley wrote:

jswagger wrote: I have replaced the sender between the pushrod tubes, but with one from GSF.

Sadly these are known to be unreliable but that doesn't mean to say that a proper Brickwerks one will tell you a different story.

What's the story on the engine ? Mileage ? Last oil pump ? Knocks and rattles ? Does it have the second sensor near the oil pump ? WE may be shooting the messenger with this and it needs a new oil pump ?

I'm assuming that you haven't been listening to the hard of thinking who like to think you can put semi-pathetic oil in an old flat four wbxer ?

Ian

Ian,

Mileage is unknown as the odometer stopped working "years ago" according to the previous owner but likely to be circa 150k. No idea when or if the oil pump has ever been changed, no apparent excessive knocks & rattles (but then no other 23 year old vehicle to compare it to).

Yes it does have a secondary sensor near the oil pump (not changed this). I have always put mineral oil in although this is the first time I have used this Comma oil. It is mineral isn't it?? It's this stuff:
http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/245" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The oil light was coming on before I put the Comma stuff in anyway.

I'd change the second sensor (oil pressure switch) and the first one too (as GSF ones are'nt the best) for ones from brickwerks. If that don't cure it, then you are possibly looking at a weak oil pump( due to mileage) and it would be best replceing that next. (£30-£40)


Mark

Well I had a 250 mile round trip this weekend and not a peep out of the oil light! Not sure if it is permanent but will keep an eye on it.


In the medium term I will look to get the pressure checked with an external gauge and depending on those results will either change sensors and/or change the oil pump.

Will keep thread updated.

Thanks all for your help.