Passat 1.8t Oil light flashing

vandriver

My mother's 00 Passat has just started this problem,where when you rev the car,there is a beep and the red oil lamp light on the dash starts flashing.
I checked the oil and it's at the top of the dipstick and looks clean.No oil leaks evident(the sump was cracked in the summer and replaced).
The car doesn't do a lot of driving as it is only used when she is visiting Ireland.
Any ideas?

George Dalton

These engines are notorious for sludge buildup which blocks the oil pump pickup pipe leading to low oil pressure.

I would suggest getting an oil pressure test done first and then you will know whether you have a mechanical or electrical problem.

vandriver

George Dalton wrote: »

These engines are notorious for sludge buildup which blocks the oil pump pickup pipe leading to low oil pressure.

I would suggest getting an oil pressure test done first and then you will know whether you have a mechanical or electrical problem.

Thanks George.
And the million dollar question! Is it safe to drive 4 miles to the mechanic?

George Dalton

Probably.

vandriver

I'm seeing horrendous prices on the internet for desludging the engine (over $2000).
Ball park here ?

vectra

Just drop the sump and replace the pickup pipe / filter
New oil and filter as well.
See how it goes. George is bnag on there with his reply.

irish bloke

Yip, happens to mine a good few years ago with only 50k on the clock.

Pick up screen in sump is what gets clogged up. Drove it to the nearest petrol station which was about 3 miles from where the light came on and ended up replacing the shell bearings on the crank shaft too. Drive it with caution!!!!

Engine will prob need a couple of flushes and a good hand wash of the rocker cover and sump too. Oil will be baked to everything.

Engine will need an oil and filter change every 5-6k after it's fixed. if you don't do this it will happen again.

vandriver

Just to wrap up this one,it was the oil pressure sensor.
However,he did spot a bit of what looked liked speaker wire that some "mechanic" had used for the alternator,which was merrily smoking away!