Passat 1.8t Oil light flashing

vandriver · 13-03-2016 06:42PM #1

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 · 13-03-2016 07:19PM

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 · 13-03-2016 07:25PM

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 · 13-03-2016 07:28PM

Probably.

vandriver · 13-03-2016 07:34PM

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

vectra · 13-03-2016 08:40PM

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 · 13-03-2016 10:14PM

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 · 15-03-2016 09:09PM

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!

Passat 1.8t Oil light flashing

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