Technical Glow plugs, engine light, oil pressure, soot. To scrap or not to scrap...

[scampifries]

Hi all,

I've had a number of issues with my 2013 diesel Qubo this year.

Let me caveat this by saying I know nothing about engines.

First off the glow plugs light came on, followed by an intermittent engine oil pressure warning (which has become more frequent, but still ticks on and off and does not stay lit), then a few months ago the amber, steady, engine warning light came on and I believe the car is in LIMP mode.

I've not driven it much since, and not at all in the last couple of months. A friend and I decided to take a look at the glow plug situation (knowing about the no turbo off 'workaround' etc) - when we got in there there was black gunk on the top of the engine (burnt on) and around the glow plugs, also coming out of a tube connected to the air filter (is it the air filter - black plastic box above the engine?).

At this point we decided things were probably out of our remit knowledge-wise and have left it.

One other pertinent thing is that the oil appears to be too full according to the dipstick.

Anyhow! I'm not looking to spend lots of money trying to fix a car thats been giving me plenty of issues since I got it - just looking for any thoughts or info people have about what the problems could be, and how hard they'd be to diagnose/fix.

Some pictures attached! Sorry in advance for my ignorance.

If it matters - 114000 miles on the clock, last service 2022, and a random battery isolater switch been fitted before I got it - not sure why!

Thank you!

 

[ZaphodB]

If the dipstick is showing too much oil on a level surface, get some out via the drain plug!! it's not difficult!

Having looked at the pics ..... jeeeez when was this last looked after ? (i.e. properly serviced)

Looks like it's had a small fire on top

 

[bugsymike]

If the dipstick is showing too much oil on a level surface, get some out via the drain plug!! it's not difficult!

Having looked at the pics ..... jeeeez when was this last looked after ? (i.e. properly serviced)

Looks like it's had a small fire on top

That is my instinct also, probably why the battery isolator was retro fitted.
Regarding original question it does look as though due for some expensive repairs baring in mind OPs admitted limited mechanical knowledge for DIY.

 

[bugsymike]

Re the high oil level along with the eml light on and low oil pressure, my suspicions would be with that type of small diesel engine history, I would guess it has been only used for short low speed journeys and ECU has been trying unsuccessfully to do DPF REGENS resulting in limp mode, engine oil being diluted with diesel ( try smelling dipstick) hence the oil light/low oil pressure messages also.
If caught early enough then use of DPF additive in the fuel and a regular hard drive up the dual carriageway may have saved it.

 

[jackwhoo]

Flashy oil light.......is that a model that is trying to say change oil by flashing oil light? Then needs reset by pressing pedals in set order? Like the panda diesels of similar age?

 

[jackwhoo]

Maybe limp mode follows after oil rest not being performed

 

[bugsymike]

Maybe limp mode follows after oil rest not being performed

It could be, but I was going by the symptoms in original post, plus history of the 1.3 MJs and short journeys + DPFs.

 

[scampifries]

Thanks all. I'll be honest conformation that the engine looks a state, and likely high cost of repairs means I'm going down the scrap route - au revoir Qubo!

 

[jackwhoo]

Thanks all. I'll be honest conformation that the engine looks a state, and likely high cost of repairs means I'm going down the scrap route - au revoir Qubo!

Do the oil rest proceedure using pedals......drive it see if no more limp mode.....if no more limp it's worth getting an oil change and carry on using.
It hasn't done massive miles.
Don't worry about glow plugs if it starts it starts - good enough.

What is registration number (number plate)