Technical oil light flashing

[Ramos]

hi, my girlfriend has a fiat grande punto 56 plate. she has a oil light that flashes and at the same time she gets a tapping sound coming from the engine, i topped it up with the correct oil but still doing the same thing. we took it to a mechanic and he said he couldnt find any leaks cracks etc. i spoke to a few people about this and they think the engine is on its way out (hope not). i googled the problem i got and think it could be hardened oil thats stuck somewhere and that it might just need flushing out. any advice please?

 

[keat63]

How many miles has it done, and how's it been looked after.
If it rattles when the light comes on, then the symptoms you describe would suggest low oil pressure.

Usually caused by a number of factors.

Low oil level.
Blocked oilways or pickup pipe.
Failing oil pump.
Failing engine.

If it's not been serviced recently, i'd suggest putting some engine oil flush in, then after the alloted miles, give the car an oil and filter change.

You say "Topped it up with the correct oil".
How much did you have to add, where was the level on the dipstick.
If she's been running it with little oil, and ignoring the oil warning light (which i've seen done before), then she could have caused some damage to the big end bearings, which will result in low oil pressure.
However, failed big ends are a knocking sound. sounds like someone hitting a hollow piece of wood with a hammer.

 

[Ramos]

She bought the car a month ago so not sure if the previous owner looked after it or not. The car has done 58,000 miles now. The previous owner didn't have a service book but took her word for it that she serviced it, I'm sure she has a receipt somewhere I will check tonight, can't go wrong for 1440£ for the car.

Before topping up the oil it was on minimum, now I have topped it to maximum which is number 5 I think on the dip stick. The other day the engine management light come on, took it to a garage and was reading different error codes. Switched car off and no engine management light, all error codes seemed to disappear.

 

[Andy Monty]

Flashing oil light is showing it needs a oil change and the oil degredaton sensor needs resetting

 

[Ramos]

Hi andy, will you know what the tapping sound is?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

What engine is it

Flashing oil light is showing it needs a oil change and the oil degredaton sensor needs resetting

Only on Diesel with DPF though isn't it

 

[Ramos]

It is a 1.2

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

It is a 1.2

If 1.2 petrol the it will be low pressure warning then I suspect.

 

[Ramos]

Apparently it is due for a full service so I have booked it in, hopefully this will solve the problem. Thanks guys

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Apparently it is due for a full service so I have booked it in, hopefully this will solve the problem. Thanks guys

Do be aware if it is low oil pressure, until sorted using the car could be causing costly wear and damage!

 

[Ramos]

The dip stick is showing the oil is full. The car is booked in for 26th April

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

The dip stick is showing the oil is full.

I'm sure it is. Low oil level and low oil pressure are 2 completely different things though

I personally wouldn't be using it at all, but its your car so your choice.

 

[Ramos]

It's my girlfriends car to be honest and she has no other way of traveling. The car was bought a month ago and was told it is due for a service but totally forgot all about it, my fault I guess

 

[Andy Monty]

And if it seizes up mid journey how is she going to get home?


when you say its flashing do you mean it flashes on and off intermittently?


i was confused earlier as you didnt describe your engine type as MEP says above that a regular flash with message is only for certain diesel cars


It could be a blocked oil filter or damaged oil pump which can lead to massive repair bills...

Engine with low oil pressure dont tend to like it and seize solid resulting in the drive wheels locking up

 

[Ramos]

The oil light only flashes sometimes, like today it's fine but give it a couple of days and it will start up again. It is a 1.2 petrol.