1.8T low pressure oil light

[nskeates]

Hello,

Had my Audi for a week now and the engine management light has come on which i think might have been caused by a turbo vacuum pipe being split, but now i have got the low oil pressure light on :aargh4:.

Could this be caused by a bad seal on the oil filler cap as oil had seeped out from around the seal area. Looking closely at the rubber seal it is all cracked and perishing. could this be my problem or is it something worse ?

thanks

[Peter D]

No the cap seal is not the problem. You need to provide the engine code and the mileage but I suspect you need to drop the sump and replace the pick up tube gauze filter they are prone to getting blocked up. You could check the actual pressure if you have the kit to do that. Do not continue driving the car. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

Hello,

Engine code i think is AWT ? and mileage is 125k.

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

The AEB and the AWT have verty similair oil pick up filters so it could be your problem. However I would start with an oil pressure check with a gauge and if low Oil pressure at idling speed: at least 1.3 bar, Oil pressure at 2000 rpm: between 3.5 and 4.5 bar, then start with a new OEM filter and decent oil, check the pressure relief valve in the filter housing. If all else fails then it is sump off time for either a new pick up tube and or a new pump. Do not be tempted to use an engine flush as that will most likely make the problem worse. Post back when you have checked the switch and measured the pressure. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

Thanks Peter,

Low oil pressure light is not on at idle speed.
need to get it to a garage to get the pressures measured.
Is there anything i can do in my driveway with too many tools ?

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

At what rpm does the oil light come on. ? When was the last oil and filter change, has it got an OEM filter ( Black ) First thing is to either change the oil pressure switch or remove it and have it tested across the entire pressure range. The switch is mounted in the casting the oil filter and oil cooler are mounted on. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

the light came on about a mile from work this morning then stayed on for that mile. i have replaced the oil filler cap seal and took it for a 5 minute drive with no light coming on. I'm just about to take a steady drive home which is 55 miles away but if light comes back on i will be stopping and calling out the RAC.

The service is due in 100 miles so now and its a OEM filter.

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

What does the oil on the dip stick look like, dirty, thick, sticky. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

Hello Peter,

didnt make it home, got about 15 miles of my journey done before the light came on. it seems that it comes on when either at speed or higher revs, when you idle again the light goes out. i called the rac out and they towed me home.

the oil is nice and clean and looks ok.

i have dropped it off at the garage and they are going to do an oil change and drop the sump., unless you can idvise i need to do something different.

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

Get them to measure the oil pressure as it amy be a duff switch. Drropping the sump is an expensive job. How can the be clean if the service is due in 100 miles. ?? Regards Peter

[nskeates]

i have no record of when the last service was done i can only go by the on board computer. service may have been done recently ???

garage has not got anything to measure pressure.

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

Wrong Garage. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

how many hours labour is it to drop the sump ?

[nskeates]

does anybody know what sort of job this is to drop the oil pan on the 1.8T engine ? how many hours am i looking at ?

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

Quite a lot to do and a hoist to hold the engine up so the front mount can be removed. On the ramps tools at hand 3 hrs. Have you had the pressure measured yet. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

Thanks Peter,

The mechanic i use charges me £10/hr so it will work out cheaper for him to drop the sump and clean it all out than it would for me to take it to another garage that have quoted me £40+vat for a pressure test. The car is due a service so might as well take this oppotunity to give it a good clean-out and make sure i haven't got the sludge issue.

thanks
neil

[nskeates]

just an update, sump was dropped and pick-up filter was completely blocked, mechanic cleaned filter, new oil and filter and all ok now.

thanks for all the help
neil

[Peter D]

Glad your man found the problem. Cheap oils and extended service intervals cause excessive deposits particularly form the Turbo bearings and shaft. What oil did he use when he filled it up. Regards Peter

[nskeates]

it was a 0-30W fully Synthetic oil.

thanks
neil

[Peter D]

That's OK but that engine really requires a 5/30 in the UK and a 5/40 in hotter countries. Regards Peter