Stop!!! Low Oil Pressure!!!!!

**bubblesaint** · 12-01-2009,11:15 AM

hi all
i'm starting to panic
as of late i have been driving from southampton to northampton.
after 90 odd miles of 90 mile/hr driving, when i slow down at a few roundabouts, i get a low oil pressure warning, panic and pull over.
if it takes a little while to pull over, usually the warning will disappear before i have a chance to stop
the warning only comes on once and then disappears, its not continuously on.
then everythings fine for a few miles maybe and it will happen again.
most days it wont happen at all
i have a 1.8t sport estate, W/2000 engine is an APU, mileage is 138,000
it is actually due a service now. oil is mobil 1 0W/40. oil level is perfect although i do have a "large" oil leak according to main dealer when i had cambelt and tensioners replaced 5000 miles ago. (in 5000 miles since oil change, level of oil has hardly changed, so much for "large" oil leak. they wanted £270 to fix it)
hopefully thats enough background
what should be my first port of call
thanks in advance
BUB

**Crasher** · 12-01-2009,12:10 PM

The sump needs to come off so the oil pump pick up pipe can be cleaned out and the inside of the engine scrubbed clean. If you continue to drive it you will destroy the engine and turbo, this is an extremely common problem on the 1.8T engine, especially when used in the Passat, A4 and A6.

**bubblesaint** · 12-01-2009,12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Crasher

The sump needs to come off so the oil pump pick up pipe can be cleaned out and the inside of the engine scrubbed clean. If you continue to drive it you will destroy the engine and turbo, this is an extremely common problem on the 1.8T engine, especially when used in the Passat, A4 and A6.

hi crasher
is this a job i can do without a ramp or more of a specialist type job?
also, will using 0W/40 be any part of the problem?

**bubblesaint** · 12-01-2009,01:01 PM

ok, i've just booked it in at an independant for tomorrow.
i mentioned the sludging problem to him and asked for a price for that job, (sump off) and was advised that the first thing they would do is a diagnostic (£35) then go from there.
he said it might be a faulty pressure switch

**Crasher** · 12-01-2009,02:12 PM

The subframe has to be dropped down which is quite involved.

The oil you are using is perfect for the job, it’s just that these engines are prone to sludge formation.

It will not be the switch the way it is playing up, it is telling the truth.

**bubblesaint** · 12-01-2009,04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Crasher

The subframe has to be dropped down which is quite involved.

The oil you are using is perfect for the job, it’s just that these engines are prone to sludge formation.

It will not be the switch the way it is playing up, it is telling the truth.

crasher, thanks mate, one question
is it worth trying an engine flush first, then rinsing out with some cheap oil, and then re-filling with the good stuff
if so, can you recommend a flush product for the job
thanks again
BUB

**Crasher** · 12-01-2009,05:00 PM

No, it must be cleaned out manually, the pickup pipe is blocked with sludge. I flush after I have put it back together and I use Comma flushing oil or similar.

**bubblesaint** · 13-01-2009,06:44 PM

after extensive diagnostics, road test etc, they are very confident the oil pump is goosed. (£370 fitted)
it is being fitted tomorrow
how does that sound?

**Crasher** · 13-01-2009,10:24 PM

Fitting a new oil pump is not a bad idea whilst you are in there but it won’t be the problem, it will be a blocked pump intake screen. A genuine oil pump is nearly £180 and a pattern one about half that. On top of that there is the at least four hours it takes to drop the subframe, change the pump, clean out the sump and rebuild then have the front wheel alignment checked if they did not use subframe locking pins and even if they do, realignment is sometimes necessary anyway. So four hours at £50 per plus pump is about £380 and on top of that there is oil and filter plus bolts, so a bit cheap to be honest.