Technical Low oil pressure warning light. Oil pump replacement?

[Marc Lewis]

Hi all. I have a 2003 fiat punto sporting. The oil pressure warning light came on yesterday. I've replaced the oil pressure switch but that hasn't cured the problem. Anyone have any ideas? If it is the oil pump failing, what is involved to replace it?


Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[AndyRKett]

Is there plenty of oil in the car?

Rule out wiring faults first but it does sound like there could be a problem with the oil pump to which the first question would have to be why??

Oil pumps rarely break so either it's something silly like the oil pick up is blocked with crud or something has gotten in and damaged the pump.

I think I'd start with taking the sump off and looking at the pick up.

 

[darashen]

There have been cases of the oil pick up pipe in the sump cracking at the top where it joins the pump so the pump cant draw the oil up.

The other possibility is that the pump is fine but engine wear to the bearings is allowing the oil to flow out too quickly dropping the pressure.

Last possibility is that the oil feed bar in the head has popped off allowing the oil to flow out too fast and dropping the pressure. You can check this by removing the rocker cover.

 

[Ziggy122]

There have been cases of the oil pick up pipe in the sump cracking at the top where it joins the pump so the pump cant draw the oil up.

The other possibility is that the pump is fine but engine wear to the bearings is allowing the oil to flow out too quickly dropping the pressure.

Last possibility is that the oil feed bar in the head has popped off allowing the oil to flow out too fast and dropping the pressure. You can check this by removing the rocker cover.

Its a sporting
The cams are held in via cam cover so belt will need coming off todo that im affraid

Some cars if the oil filter is blocked it can bring up low pressure warnings

Has the oil and filter been changed at all // recently??

Oil pumps are often blaimed for not generating pressure, but oil pumps dont
They generate volume
The pressure is generated by all the tolerances of bearings and shells in the engine

Is the car at all tappety?
Has a new sump been fitted?
Whats the oils colours?

Any smoke out the back of the car?

Ziggy

 

[darashen]

Its a sporting
The cams are held in via cam cover so belt will need coming off todo that im affraid

Sorry forgot it was a 16V when I suggested checking the top oil feed. Out of curiosity is the slight power gain worth all the extra aggro that comes with the 16V engine.

 

[Ziggy122]

Sorry forgot it was a 16V when I suggested checking the top oil feed. Out of curiosity is the slight power gain worth all the extra aggro that comes with the 16V engine.

just saved the owner a hella problem that all

it could be anything from a blocked pump pickup to a excessivly worn big end causing loss of pressure
Idearly the OP needs to have the oil pressure tested with an external tester to ensure it an actual case of low oil pressure

Ziggy

 

[Marc Lewis]

Thanks guys. The oil and filter were changed about a month ago. Had a pressure test done and there is plenty of pressure. Leads me to believe that its an electrical fault with the low pressure warning light, I have seen a thread somewhere on here about it once before.

 

[simondenison]

Hi,
We have the same oil pressure warning light - coming on when cold - then going out and not on again until another cold start on our '04 Punto 1.2 8v. 110,000 miles.
Is it worth renewing the oil pressure sensor or should I drop the sump and have a look at the oil pump and pipework ?
I'm tempted to think it's just an electrical fault but a low oil pressure light is a worry.
The steering warning light is also on, along with bulb fail and airbag.
So the dashboard is like a christmas tree.
But I still enjoy driving the 'powerful' little beast.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Simon

 

[Ziggy122]

You need to get an oil pressure test done

The switch works on a present value removing the earth thus taking the light out

If the pressure drops below the preset value itll create an earth and put oil light back on

An oil pressure test will show if there is a low oil pressure fault


Has there been a recent sump replacement?

When was the oil filter last changed? A blocked filter may cause a low pressure fault

Ziggy

 

[deeinlondon]

Hi all. I have a 2003 fiat punto sporting. The oil pressure warning light came on yesterday. I've replaced the oil pressure switch but that hasn't cured the problem. Anyone have any ideas? If it is the oil pump failing, what is involved to replace it?


Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hey whatever happened about your Mk2 Punto sporting? what was the cause of the problem / solution? I'm having similar issues with my Year 2000 MK2 sporting - I believe I have a crack at the top of my oil pickup tube

 

[deeinlondon]

There have been cases of the oil pick up pipe in the sump cracking at the top where it joins the pump so the pump cant draw the oil up.

I think I might have this same problem based on what I thought I could see with an inspection camera but I've searched online loads and can't even find a single mention of Cracked Oil Pickups in Fiats - nor any photos or video of a cracked fiat oil pickup - do you have more information on where you saw this?