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.

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:thumb:thumb

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.

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

hey
so what happens when your motor has blueish smoke coming out yaexhaust and oiul light on?
cheers
rhys

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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

Well it's getting checked out tomorrow morning, so I'll see what the problem is.

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.

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