Technical oil

[ivanbo]

hello,
my panda i just bought has a problem with the oil signal, it flashes all time, and some time it gives you signal that there is a problem, the person who sold it to me said it is not a serious problem and that it goes like this from a long time. Since i heard that Panda often have a problem with oil, your suggestion a part from changing oil? What could be?
i have to pass the revision, is there a way to stop the light of oil to flash?

 

[bugsymike]

hello,
my panda i just bought has a problem with the oil signal, it flashes all time, and some time it gives you signal that there is a problem, the person who sold it to me said it is not a serious problem and that it goes like this from a long time. Since i heard that Panda often have a problem with oil, your suggestion a part from changing oil? What could be?
i have to pass the revision, is there a way to stop the light of oil to flash?

Assuming you believe the seller and there is no worrying noise from the engine bearings etc.
Did he tell you what he had done to try and fix it?
Assuming recent oil and filter change, then next I would try a new oil pressure switch.
If fault still then then personally I would like to try a mechanical oil pressure gauge to test the actual oil pressure for peace of mind, if that reading is good then I would check the wiring etc.
You say "i have to pass the revision, is there a way to stop the light of oil to flash?"
Do you mean a MOT test of vehicle?
First make sure as I have suggested, it is no good if engine blows up because there is no oil pressure!

 

[ivanbo]

Assuming you believe the seller and there is no worrying noise from the engine bearings etc.NO NOISE AT ALL
Did he tell you what he had done to try and fix it? HE TOLD ME HE WENT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM, EVENTUALLY TO CHANGE THE OIL
Assuming recent oil and filter change, then next I would try a new oil pressure switch. HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT THAT IS, COST?
If fault still then then personally I would like to try a mechanical oil pressure gauge to test the actual oil pressure for peace of mind, if that reading is good then I would check the wiring etc. TOO TECHNICAL, CANNOT FOLLOW YOU, I HOPE I WILL NOT HAVE TO SPEND LOT OF MONEY
You say "i have to pass the revision, is there a way to stop the light of oil to flash?"
Do you mean a MOT test of vehicle? I MEAN WHAT WE HAVE TO DO BY LAW IN ITALY EVERY TWO YEARS, DO NOT KNOW TH ENGLISH FOR IT
First make sure as I have suggested, it is no good if engine blows up because there is no oil pressure! HOW SHOULD I TRY OUT THIS OIL PRESSURE?

 

[bugsymike]

Sorry, speak to a friend or a garage mechanic you trust where you are.

 

[ivanbo]

Sorry, speak to a friend or a garage mechanic you trust where you are.

i assume i should do that, but do you think it is such a serious problem?

 

[porta]

Which engine is it, 900 pushrod, 750/999/1100 fire and, is it carburettor or injection…I have to say all were unburstable and eminently reliable.
Is it just flickering or on and off for longer periods, is that the only warning light that comes on, is there any smoke from the exhaust or from the air filter housing…there’s loads of issues it could be, the most basic being a faulty pressure sender or bad earth

 

[ivanbo]

Which engine is it, 900 pushrod, 750/999/1100 fire and, is it carburettor or injection…I have to say all were unburstable and eminently reliable.
Is it just flickering or on and off for longer periods, is that the only warning light that comes on, is there any smoke from the exhaust or from the air filter housing…there’s loads of issues it could be, the most basic being a faulty pressure sender or bad earth

i think it is a 900, it is mostly flickering but at times it gets on for quite a while, some minutes then turns off. Only warning light coming on. Have seen no smoke notable coming out from nowhere..

 

[ivanbo]

i think it is a 900, it is mostly flickering but at times it gets on for quite a while, some minutes then turns off. Only warning light coming on. Have seen no smoke notable coming out from nowhere..

i have no money at the moment and i have to pass the MOT test, do u think i could pass it? It usually starts flickering after a 15 minutes ride..

 

[porta]

I’m not sure what an Italian MoT consists of, so would be hard pressed to advise. However, I think your immediate issue needs to be dealt with, and, as previously stated, it could be anything from a faulty sensor/oil pressure switch, to a blocked strainer on the oil pickup, failed or failing pump, blown gaskets, worn engine or just a bad electrical connection

 

[Mike1alike]

but do you think it is such a serious problem?

Yes, it is a serious problem.
It does sound like real low oil pressure.
First thing, do what Bugsy suggested here

I would like to try a mechanical oil pressure gauge to test the actual oil pressure for peace of mimind

I suspect that reading won't show good pressure there!

 

[JohnDragonMan]

it could be the wire shorting out to ground coming out of the oil pressure sensor.
do you have a test lamp at all? a bulb with some wire on it? if so, try this:
connect one wire of the bulb to the battery +
and the other wire of the bulb to the unplugged oil pressure sensor.
see if you get the light flickering like it does on the dashboard. this would indicate that its the wire that is shorting to ground.

it could also be a faulty sensor.
if the engine is low Km distance i would not suspect the oil pump has failed. on the old 903cc push rod engines i have known the oil pump to last almost 300,000 miles (in the UK) before it started causing the oil light to flicker.

it is an interesting issue and i also agree with Bugsymike where a oil pressure gauge would give you answers.

has the engine had work done to it? has the oil pan/sump been off? if excessive gasket sealant has been used at some point it could have blocked the oil pickup tube.

 

[Mike1alike]

if the engine is low Km distance i would not suspect the oil pump has failed

If pickup pipe gasket is worn, it can easily turn on the warning light because pump sucks air there and less oil from sump.
Being a problem that could develop into something very bad, safest thing to do is testing the oil pressure on the system with an external gauge. That shows the exact pressure, it's much better than just a light that might turn on.