Technical Low oil pressure

[Kareem]

Hello

I have a 1.2L engine (2007) with 90K milage
I bought the car 2nd hand ( so don't know the history )
I have a problem with the oil pressure, after a long ride, I get an oil warning message "low pressure", it comes and goes by itself (stays for less than a second) this happens only when idle, if I do continue to drive the car, it stays there if idle only ,,, once I start moving it disappear ( same thing if I did operate the A/C as the rpm goes to 850 instead of 700 )

I did change the OIL and filter recently (thought that might solve the issue, but it didn't), also I did check the oil level, it is good (till the top of the mark, not decreasing or anything)

I connected Multiscan, did notice that this only happens when the oil temperature goes above 96

I am not sure what to do at this moment, also I am freaking out that it might be a serious issue with the engine and/or the engine is damaged

Please have a look at the attached videos (it is more clear there)

Any help or advice would be highly appreciated

Also, I did check other threads related to the same error, but all seem to be because of different issues (or light pops-up in different situations)

 

[steveras57]

When you changed the oil and filter did you use the right grade of oil and a Fiat quality filter?
have you only just got the car and has it had the problem from day one or has it just cropped up recently?
when the warning message comes up does the oil pressure light come on and or flicker?
other than the warning at idle speeds does the car drive well and act normally the rest of the time? .

where im going with this is that the oil pressure sensor might be failing! if the diaphragm has/is past its best, the higher pressure will still move it enough to break the electrical contact and put the light out! however at idle revs the lower pressure may not be enough, thus there is contact so the system flashes the warning ( as the electrical value/signal might be outside the bcm modules expected parameters).

To be honest not sure if the pressure switch is a separate thing or part of the oil pump as a unit?- hopefully the former as that would be a much cheaper and easier thing to change.
other members may know more!.

 

[John202020]

What year is the car? Just the speedo is a lcd ? If 2007 then try 10w40 rather than 5w40 oil and a branded ( Bosch say or genuine Fiat ) filter?

 

[Kareem]

@steveras57
I did change the oil and filter at the dealership ( sorry wasn't clear about who did the work ) so i expect they did fit the correct oil

I got the car about 1 year ago, the problem was not there, it did develop couple of months ago ( even before oil change )

The message only come when idle, when it comes up for the first 15 mins, it just flickers ( when idle ) , once i press throttle it never light up
Then after 15 or 20 mins, everytime the car idle it lights and goes away if i pressed throttle or the AC compressor kicked in

Other than the warning, the car really drives well ( even when the warning is flickering ) the performance isn't affected at all and the temperature is ok all times


The pressure sensor is seperate, i did already order one ( will replace anyway )

Thanks for the help

 

[Kareem]

What year is the car? Just the speedo is a lcd ? If 2007 then try 10w40 rather than 5w40 oil and a branded ( Bosch say or genuine Fiat ) filter?

It is 2007 , i did change the speedo with 2021 version, adjusted the milage, proxy alignment and all is good
Changed the headunit ( big touch screen ), changed all speakers, installed rear camera and sensors (the car is for my wife )
Added ghost immobilizer, now the car only start with pin code
I did all these myself, i am kind of good with electronics and coding ( former automotive embedded engineer ) but i have no idea about mechanics

 

[jrkitching]

Oil related engine failure isn't often reported on the 1.2 FIRE.

But ... it is possible that the engine is just wearing out. Worn oil pump, worn bearings ...

If you don't know the car's history, you don't know if it has been abused in some way before your ownership.

It might be worth putting a physical oil pressure gauge on the engine to see what the oil pressure really is.

If 2007 then try 10w40 rather than 5w40 oil

That's not a bad idea. It might get you a couple more years out of the car.

I doubt it's economically worthwhile to fit a secondhand engine into a 17yr old 500.

 

[Kareem]

Oil related engine failure isn't often reported on the 1.2 FIRE.

But ... it is possible that the engine is just wearing out. Worn oil pump, worn bearings ...

If you don't know the car's history, you don't know if it has been abused in some way before your ownership.

It might be worth putting a physical oil pressure gauge on the engine to see what the oil pressure really is.



That's not a bad idea. It might get you a couple more years out of the car.

I doubt it's economically worthwhile to fit a secondhand engine into a 17yr old 500.

I hope the engine is ok

I did book a workshop appointment next week to really check the engine status, however was thinking of changing the sensor this weekend ( maybe it is just a sensor flickering with heat or something )

Could you please tell me where is that sensor mounted ? And does it need oil to be flushed before removing the old sensor? Or i can just replace the sensor without removing any oil

 

[John202020]

Try replacing the oil pressure switch it's not expensive?

 

[Kareem]

Try replacing the oil pressure switch it's not expensive?

I did order one, but i don't know where is it located, i got the torque specs (30nm) but where to put the thing

 

[steveras57]

ITS part of the oil pump! which may or may not be hidden inside the timing cover/sump hopefully another more knowledgeable member can enlighten us further!

 

[John202020]

I did order one, but i don't know where is it located, i got the torque specs (30nm) but where to put the thing

Look in the area of the oil filter, think it beside it as the pump is near by?

 

[varesecrazy]

Worth considering this ONLY shows when oil is HOT, and pump is running slowly

Obviously if the car spends LOTS of time in traffic, sat at idle, then pressure is starved for longer periods

A @30 euro oilchange to different grade oil (countering age related wear)

Might seem a sensible experiment

 

[Kareem]

Worth considering this ONLY shows when oil is HOT, and pump is running slowly

Obviously if the car spends LOTS of time in traffic, sat at idle, then pressure is starved for longer periods

A @30 euro oilchange to different grade oil (countering age related wear)

Might seem a sensible experiment

I was going to do that, as John recommended earlier 10w40 instead of 5w40
Was thinking of putting oil flush, but don't know if that would be a good idea

 

[varesecrazy]

Was thinking of putting oil flush, but don't know if that would be a good idea

I would avoid that.. (disturbing 15 years of deposits in an afternoon could create other issues)

Out of interest you have now seen
"clean oil" in the motor,
Did it stay clean for long.. Or quickly discoloured?

 

[Kareem]

I would avoid that.. (disturbing 15 years of deposits in an afternoon could create other issues)

Out of interest you have now seen
"clean oil" in the motor,
Did it stay clean for long.. Or quickly discoloured?

So far, 1 month and still golden color

 

[varesecrazy]

So far, 1 month and still golden color

That is good news.. Looks like the motor has seen regular servicing,

Even less reason to use a "degreaser" now..

 

[Kareem]

That is good news.. Looks like the motor has seen regular servicing,

Even less reason to use a "degreaser" now..

It is, i have the service history, has been serviced on time to be honest
And only 90000km on the odometer

But everytime i search about this issue, i freak out as most of the people mentioned bad engines

 

[A3jeroen]

But have you changed the sensor yet?
Going from 5W40 to 10W40 will not change anything. They will both behave as a 40 grade oil when hot...

gr J

 

[Kareem]

But have you changed the sensor yet?
Going from 5W40 to 10W40 will not change anything. They will both behave as a 40 grade oil when hot...

gr J

I bought it, but i don't know the location

If anyone can tell me where the sensor is fitted, it would be very much appreciated

 

[A3jeroen]

Look near the oilfilter.
Or check E-per. Check youtube, but don't ignore it or try to solve it with different oil or whatever.

gr J