Oil level warning light flashing 2-3 times when engine started.

[Rich23 UK]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anybody could shed some light on a problem which started a couple of days ago.
I noticed that when I started the engine the oil level warning light flashed 2-3 times and then went out and stayed out.
Thought nothing of it. Later that day I started the engine again and it didn't flash. Thought I would check the oil level and it looked ok. But I put another ltr in anyway and gave it a bit of a spin just to get any sensors to sense the new level.
But the next day it flashed again. It seems intermittent and doesn't do it everytime.
Could it be a sensor issue or something else?

It's not loosing oil as there is nothing on the drive or my parking space at work.

Tempted to ring Volkscraft, a local specialist and perhaps get it serviced and let them give it a once over.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

I would get it checked over by a specialist ASAP and avoid driving if you can.

Any problem with the oil needs to be caught as soon as - otherwise it may cause damage which will be expensive to repair.

Could be flashing due to oil pressure - or it could just be a faulty sensor. Either way it needs to be checked out.

I know a few people on here have had the oil strainer on the pickup become clogged, causing top end damage. - How often do you change the oil / filter?

 

[Rich23 UK]

I would get it checked over by a specialist ASAP and avoid driving if you can.

Any problem with the oil needs to be caught as soon as - otherwise it may cause damage which will be expensive to repair.

Could be flashing due to oil pressure - or it could just be a faulty sensor. Either way it needs to be checked out.

I know a few people on here have had the oil strainer on the pickup become clogged, causing top end damage. - How often do you change the oil / filter?

It had the head skimmed in Jan/Feb time so that was the last time it was serviced.
I think I will get it in ASAP as you've said.

 

[DPJ]

Potential oil pressure problems. Investigate immediately.

 

[Rich23 UK]

I've booked it in to be looked at on Wednesday.
I said to the guy over the phone about the problem and I mentioned I'd put another ltr of oil in and he took a sharp intake of breath and said I shouldn't over fill it.

I've just checked the level and its a bit over the maximum mark.

It needs a service anyway so should I just drive it very carefully to the garage on Wednesday that way he is going to drain all the oil anyway and sort out the warning light issue which he thinks could be a sensor.

In hindsight I shouldn't have put anymore oil in but it was registering as under halfway I'm sure.

 

[DPJ]

the warning light issue which he thinks could be a sensor.

 

[LEE69]

and he took a sharp intake of breath

I've just checked the level and its a bit over the maximum mark.

typical mechanic

Agreed with above, oil pick up is blocked.

 

[Rich23 UK]

typical mechanic

Agreed with above, oil pick up is blocked.

Yeah but the oil level is a little over the maximum mark. I don't think I should of put that ltr in so really worried I have done some damage. I only did this on Friday night and have only driven it twice since.

I will be driving it very carefully to the garage on Wednesday. I'm a muppet for doing that before checking properly! I hope it hasn't done anything too bad.

 

[LEE69]

A touch over should be fine, it's when it is over flowing the rocker cover cap is when you start worrying

and yes, i have seen that before

 

[Rich23 UK]

Its about 5ml over it think.
So fingers crossed after the service and sensor change (if needed) it will be ok.

So no its not spilling out but I did see on the oil filler cap a warning not to overfill as it can cause the cat to get damaged.

 

[LEE69]

Yeah too much pressure also can blow seals.
5ml you'll be fine.

 

[Rich23 UK]

I've just gone out with a ruler and checked again. Its more like 10ml over.

 

[LEE69]

Are you parked up/down hill or flat?

 

[Rich23 UK]

I've checked it whilst on the flat as the drive is sloped.

 

[LEE69]

No expert but you should be fine....hopefully

 

[Rich23 UK]

Thanks Lee. I hope so to. It's not as if I've been driving around a lot since its been at that level so again hopefully its not done any lasting damage.

 

[csd_19]

Is it once the engine is running that it flashes, or is it when the ignition is turned on (but not started the engine) ?

Also what colour is it flashing, orange or red?

I thought the orange light flashes to warn of a low oil level, the red was low oil pressure? And if you get the orange flashing at the ignition stage (but the dipstick read full) it was a hint of a faulty sensor?

 

[Rich23 UK]

Is it once the engine is running that it flashes, or is it when the ignition is turned on (but not started the engine) ?

Also what colour is it flashing, orange or red?

I thought the orange light flashes to warn of a low oil level, the red was low oil pressure? And if you get the orange flashing at the ignition stage (but the dipstick read full) it was a hint of a faulty sensor?

Yes the engine starts and the light flashes 2-3 times then goes off. Its an orange light btw.
I'm hoping the service and replacment sensor sorts it out.

 

[revere]

if it's what mine does it's not the oil lights that it's flashing for, it's to do with the coolant level and is a faulty sensor, mine does it quite often, easy cheap job, a garage will replace the whole bottle with the sensor for **** all.

 

[Rich23 UK]

if it's what mine does it's not the oil lights that it's flashing for, it's to do with the coolant level and is a faulty sensor, mine does it quite often, easy cheap job, a garage will replace the whole bottle with the sensor for **** all.

Yeah I read somewhere else that it could be the coolant level.
I'm going to try and syphon out the excess oil in the morning just in case before driving it to the garage on wednesday.