Multipla What do I do?!

[littleblonde77]

Hi all, I have a Multipla 1.9 diesel with 161,500 miles on it. I have always looked after it, had anything done that needed it, had bits n bobs shipped from England to me here in NI when it's needed something that couldn't be got here etc, serviced regularly. Never a bother starting, even at -7 yesterday! However, about 3 weeks ago a low oil pressure notice flashed up so I took it straight to my mechanic. The dipstick was thick and black and when wiped and re-dipped it was still hard to read. They unscrewed the oil cap...and to my horror the oil was extremely thick. I obviously know it shouldn't look like that and queried how it could have got to that stage when its been regularly serviced. They fobbed me off, topped the oil up (!!) and told me to keep on driving!! I did, to my local tyre centre who've always been great. They in turn sent me to the mechanic they all use. As expected the mechanic told me it's highly likely the damage has been done and on looking at the car they think it's highly unlikely the mechanic I've been using for the past few years ever actually changed my oil. They've said I can have a service, they'll do an oil change and we can "see what happens", but am I just wasting my money...which is at a premium, as a single mum of 4 living in a rural area. It's booked in tomorrow but I'd really like some advice if anyone can help. Is it worth it? Should I not waste the money and start saving for a new car whilst praying this one keeps going whilst i do so? Help

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi all, I have a Multipla 1.9 diesel with 161,500 miles on it. I have always looked after it, had anything done that needed it, had bits n bobs shipped from England to me here in NI when it's needed something that couldn't be got here etc, serviced regularly. Never a bother starting, even at -7 yesterday! However, about 3 weeks ago a low oil pressure notice flashed up so I took it straight to my mechanic. The dipstick was thick and black and when wiped and re-dipped it was still hard to read. They unscrewed the oil cap...and to my horror the oil was extremely thick. I obviously know it shouldn't look like that and queried how it could have got to that stage when its been regularly serviced. They fobbed me off, topped the oil up (!!) and told me to keep on driving!! I did, to my local tyre centre who've always been great. They in turn sent me to the mechanic they all use. As expected the mechanic told me it's highly likely the damage has been done and on looking at the car they think it's highly unlikely the mechanic I've been using for the past few years ever actually changed my oil. They've said I can have a service, they'll do an oil change and we can "see what happens", but am I just wasting my money...which is at a premium, as a single mum of 4 living in a rural area. It's booked in tomorrow but I'd really like some advice if anyone can help. Is it worth it? Should I not waste the money and start saving for a new car whilst praying this one keeps going whilst i do so? Help

Hello,

Firstly you have come to the right place.

A friend of mine has a multipla with 202,000 miles that has been occasionally flashing the low oil pressure warning for some time and it is still going strong-it has been serviced regularly and the oil level is maintained correctly.

It could be a faulty oil pressure switch or associated wiring.

Yes have the oil and filter changed see how you get on.

If car keeps running fine and no awful noises then consider having the pressure switch wiring and pressure switch investigated.

Where in NI are you ? A forum member may be near by.

Best wishes

Jack

 

[jackwhoo]

In the first instance did the low oil pressure stop engine immediately flash up and then go off?
Or did it come on and stay on while you drove to your garage?
Do you know how much volume of oil they topped up?

 

[littleblonde77]

Thanks for your replies. The low oil pressure came up almost immediately after starting and continued to flash n beep til I drove the 13 miles to the garage. I have no clue how much oil they put in, unfortunately, I was away questioning how my oil had got to the glue like stage it has and when I came back to the car the bonnet was down and they'd fired it up to see if it was still beeping low oil pressure, which it wasn't. It's been almost 3 weeks and it's not happened again.

I'm up near Causeway Coast & Glens.

 

[jackwhoo]

Ok as it has been driving and working for three weeks then I suggest having the oil and filter changed by your new mechanic.


Please keep an eye on the oil level using the dipstick .

Don't just rely on the electronic oil level display when you turn car on. Sometimes the electronic systems lie and tell you the oil level is ok when it has no oil-have seen this on Renaults .

On positive note , I'm very glad the tyre fitters recommended someone they like and trust .
your multipla has kept going for three weeks After incident so fingers xed will be ok.

Good luck
Please keep us informed how it goes as time goes on(-:

Jack

 

[widemouthfrog]

There are differing opinions on this, but in your case I'd suggest asking that a flushing additive is used when the oil is changed. Leave it running with the flushing oil in for a good 30 minutes (but don't drive it), then drain the oil immediately. Change the filter, refill with new oil - not necessarily expensive stuff - use the car for about a week and then take it back and have the oil and filter changed again.

I know it sounds like hassle and added expense, but in the overall scheme of things two oil/filter changes isn't a great deal compared to the cost of a replacement engine. If the car then runs ok and doesn't use oil, you've got away with it.

As for the 'mechanic' who serviced your car previously - I'd cross him off your Christmas card list.

Keep us all posted as to how things work out!

 

[Oletimer]

Just to stick my oar in:

I've heard of these types of 'mechanics?' but, being a suspicious old git, I don't trust ANY garage to mess with my car. If I do it myself, I know what's been done and more importantly, what has not been done.

You may not be very mechanical, but it would help you understand your car if you learned how to look after the simpler jobs yourself.
An oil change is not big brain operation and with a few tools and a bit of grit you can have the pure satisfaction of a job well done and that no goon at a garage will be able to hood-wink you out of hard earned money for a job he hasn't done.

It's really not difficult to learn how to help yourself, you will need a bit of tuition and I'm sure you'll know someone locally who can assist, it's a pity you are not local to the Midlands, there's a good many helpful lads here.
Anyway...
WMF gives some good advice, you certainly need to 'clean out' your engine and (by the sound of things) yours has not suffered too much. (It's amazing how bullet proof the little Multi engines are).
I would certainly do as our colleague suggests, at least you will know then that it is as good as you can get it. I would suggest you have service intervals of about 6000 miles, the reason for my suggestion is that you are likely to do mostly 'local' mileage, consequently there are times when you will not drive far enough to thoroughly warm up the system completely, this can lead to the sludge that you have presently in your engine, an occasional 'run out', with higher road speeds warms everything up nicely and keeps everything ticking along like a good old sewing machine.

By the way, if old goon couldn't be bothered to do the oil and filter changes, he will not have done the diesel or air filters either. So don't forget to make sure the new garage changes the ALL the filters: Diesel, Air and Oil. If he couldn't be bothered to change the easy one, why should he be bothered to change the more difficult ones?
I apologise for the waffle but I just thought I'd try to be helpful.
All the best
George