When I was driving home last night the oil light started coming on at idle. It turns off the minute you touch the accelerator. So I gave it an oil change today, and it's still doing it. Does this mean my engine's had it? I hope not as I can't really afford a new engine.
68AutoBug 路
Its NOT a good sign Pat... Low Oil Pressure.... You can turn the idle screw up a touch till the light goes out.. that will help in the short term... what sort of oil do You use Pat? I'm not sure what oil will help... other than a thicker oil... but I believe in the early days of VWs late 50s-60s... that the oil lamp would flicker now & then.... in My early VWs many years ago.
Maybe someone else can help You better than I... Could it be a sticking relief valve?? Sorry I don't know....
but if You adjust the idle until the lamp goes out... that means that the oil pressure is OK again.... and Your engine should be OK...... If there isn't a lot of blue smoke coming out of the exhaust... I'd keep driving.... Pat..:o馃榾馃榾:thumb:thumb
Pat 路
I might have to take it somewhere to get it checked out. It's got good compression, and it runs quite well, so I'm not sure if it's worn out bearings.
68AutoBug 路
Yes Pat, check the lead coming from the oil sender unit to the left of the flywheel.
its only a small thin wire and the connector should be tight...
:sandrine:o:thumb
kombi_kid 路
hey
so what happens when your motor has blueish smoke coming out yaexhaust and oiul light on?
cheers
rhys
Pat 路
Blue smoke means your burning oil, so either your pistons/rings are worn or your valve stem seal are leaking. From my experience blue smoke usually means rings, when it's valve stem seals the smoke is more white.
kombi_kid 路
hey
thanks il just up the idle speed this motor will be rebuilt soon so its will be alright for a while as long as it doesnt hurt the bottom end in anyway im right!
cheers
rhys
70AutoStik 路
Pat, your oil light at idle can be a number of things: the oil pressure relief sticking open (this would only happen when warm, and then intermittantly,) worn bearings (it's usual to hear a knock, but it builds up so gradually, most drivers won't pick it, or a worn oil pump (usually just the cover plate: buy a new gasket take off the plate and smooth it off by rubbing against sandpaper placed on a flat surface - going up in grades until it looks fairly smooth.)
Most of all, don't panic - I just drove an old dub 700km+ with a very sick head, a vacuum leak and several oil leaks (with ambients around 40C) - it's pretty hard to stop a VW!
1303Steve 路
Hi
The oil light switch can stuff up as well, might be worth a try to change it. What sort of oil did you use?
1302Steve
Pat 路
Penrite HPR 40.
Well the light is on from startup and only at idle. Also it's a very quiet motor it doesn't seem rough at all, so I'm not sure if it's bearings or not.
68AutoBug 路
Just turn the idle screw in a bit to turn the lamp off Pat.... that will keep the oil pressure up..... and keep You going....
Best Wishes:thumb
Pat 路
Well it's getting checked out tomorrow morning, so I'll see what the problem is.
vw54 路
Pat
Try changing the oil pressure switch and get a German one if you can.
There are alot of Brazilian ones out there that tend to fail from heat. After your long to Syd n back the constant heat could have caused a failure.
Is your oil level correct when cold and on aflat surface. dont over fill it.
Pat 路
Thanks for the advice Dave.
As it turns out the oil pressure is fine, got a new switch, everything is sweet. Which is a load off my mind.
:bounce