Technical oil warning light

[Karletto]

when the engine is cold oil light is turned on or flashes a lot. i have a feeling when the car is hot/ on open road it is much better. the car is loosing a bit of oil but nothing dramatic. when i refilled the oil it was a lot better for few days..
what's wrong??


someone suggested i should first check, if the sensor is faulty. how do i do that?

 

[Chas Uno]

Does the oil light flash/ flicker more at tickover and then go out when you rev the engine? If so, you may have a blocked filter and the bypass valve is coming into play.

When was the last time and how many miles ago was the oil and filter changed?

 

[alexGS]

I think I would start by replacing the oil pressure switch. On the FIRE engine (999cc/1108cc), it's mounted on the oil filter mounting. Easy to get to but when you undo it, oil will drain out, so have a drain pan ready.

The switch is cheap and hopefully easy to get.

If the flashing light persists with a new switch, change the oil and filter (as Chas said).

If the flashing light still continues, you will have to investigate further by taking the sump off (assuming a FIRE engine, the exhaust must come off first), and then remove the oil pump (for the FIRE engine, it unbolts from the front of the cylinder block once you remove the cambelt and pulley). On the back of the oil pump is a plate held on by countersunk screws. Those screws can work loose, causing oil pressure to leak away. It's an easy fix, but a fair amount of dismantling (and re-mantling) to repair.

-Alex