Oil lamp shows up occasionally

[dupermann]

I recently bought a 2003 MC with 90.000 kilometers on the meter.

The previous owner obviously had an oil change done - incorrectly - which lead to low oil pressure on idle. I bought the car anyway, after getting a very good price. Perhaps a bit of a gamble...

When I started examining the problem, it soon became clear the filter cover lacked the 'plastic column' inside it.

I had this column fitted, beside the new oil and filter. Success! The oil lamp disappeared. Then I drove about 2.000 kilometers, mainly highway commuting to work.

Guess what... the lamp started showing up again!

The engine runs just fine, seems to consume no, or a minimum, of oil. Looks fresh after 2.000 km with no visible particles in it. No valve clicking or other typical running faults.

The car has a service history from 0 to 60.000 km. It's a bit unclear what's been done since then. The previous owner claims frequent oil changes, but didn't seem too bright about cars in general.

Makes me wonder why the car actually is mint condition!


What could be wrong?

1) Oil type? I currently run the engine with new 5w-40 oil (with all requested specs). I suspect the oil may get 'too thin' when I commute 60 km to work with the car. When driving 120 km/h the engine runs on 3.200-3.400 revs. When parking the car at work, the oil lamp comes on.

This doesn't happen when driving short distances, sometimes not when commuting either.

2) Oil pressure switch or oil pump? Could these be probable causes?

3) Crankshaft or bearing issues? I've read that worn bearings could lead to low oil pressure.

4) Could this be caused by climate? It's winter time in Norway, which means temperatures far below zero degrees Celsius. At the time around -10. Does this affect oil/temperature in any way?

5) Any other possible causes you might think of?


Any hints on what to do will be highly appreciated. I'm a quite experienced DIY mechanic, partly due to astronomic garage prices in Norway.

[mab01uk]

As noted in links below check the cheaper options first, ie. the oil pressure switch/sensor and wiring and maybe try checking/changing the filter again.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ing-light.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...-flashing.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...oil-light.html

[MINImeat]

I've had an intermittent oil light from about 2 years after I bought my '03 MCS new and it's never given me any indication that it was anything more than an intermittently faulty switch/sensor.
It seems to be sensitive to heat as it happens more in hot weather in traffic.
If the engine doesn't sound or run unusual, I'd suspect the switch first.
I would discount the oil type and the climate as causes.
It would be worth getting a pressure reading.
Of course crankshaft bearings would cause low oil pressure, but I'd discount the cheaper possibilities before I got into that.

[dupermann]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

As noted in links below check the cheaper options first, ie. the oil pressure switch/sensor and wiring and maybe try checking/changing the filter again.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ing-light.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...-flashing.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...oil-light.html

Thanks for your pointers! Some of the information might be useful, though I'm a bit worried this might be an expensive experience...

[dupermann]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINImeat (original)

I've had an intermittent oil light from about 2 years after I bought my '03 MCS new and it's never given me any indication that it was anything more than an intermittently faulty switch/sensor.
It seems to be sensitive to heat as it happens more in hot weather in traffic.
If the engine doesn't sound or run unusual, I'd suspect the switch first.
I would discount the oil type and the climate as causes.
It would be worth getting a pressure reading.
Of course crankshaft bearings would cause low oil pressure, but I'd discount the cheaper possibilities before I got into that.

Does this mean you've driven the car as usual without doing anything to eliminate the lamp problem?

As you're driving in a much hotter climate than I am, that might explain why my lamp only shows up when I take the car on longer trips (as it's very cold outside at the moment and oil only gets hot after a while).

I think it would have been useful to have an oil temperature gauge inside the car to be able to check how hot the oil in fact is...

I'm going to buy a manometer to check the actual idle oil pressure, and just order a new switch. Then, if that doesn't give the desired outcome, I will have to surrender and go to a garage.

But then - if the oil pump is faulty - does anyone have experience on how to do a DIY change?

[dupermann]

Not much response lately. Could it be few MINI owners have experienced this?

The last week the lamp has been a bit unstable. The last two commuting trips there's been no light, and even though I'm happy about that I wonder why.

Should this tell me anything for sure?

[M1ckyb]

Hi I have just had an oil light problem, my problems started when I recently carried out an oil and filter change, I have had a couple of BMW Mini's since 2005 and I am used to doing most of the mechanical work on them. However after the oil change my Oil waring light came on at idle when hot but went out when revving, but subsequently it stayed on permanently once warm. I knew I had put the filter in the right way complete with the plastic cage and spring (pre 2004 models only) there were no leaks and the dipstick showed full. When the light came on the car ran fine, no noises, not overheating or performance issues or any other indicators. It only happened once the engine was warm. I decided to go for the cheap option £9.25 including p&P and change the oil pressure switch myself. I found jacking up the car with the front offside wheel off gave me the best access. When I eventually managed to get the connector off, after struggling for 10-15 minutes!! I realised after this that there was a locking slide on the connector, you need to push it towards you then press the release clip on the top and it comes off very easily! immediately I saw oil in the connector, although I didn't have any oil on the road each night etc it was apparent that the oil was leaking through the switch, I removed the old switch, installed the new one, reconnected the wire and put the wheel back on. I have now driven for 20 miles and no light!

If you can't do this work yourself it should be relatively cheap at a garage probably 1 hours labour plus parts, I bought the part on line for £4.85 plus £3.80 P&P.

I am now very happy that it was nothing more serious and I hope your problem may be the same.

My car is a 2002 Mini Cooper with 104,000miles on the clock.

[MINImeat]

Wow! I didn't notice folks had replied to my post.
I'm glad to know the oil pressure switch fixed the problem for M1ckyb.
I feel sure that's my problem too, and I'll think about changing mine although my plan is to trade my car before the end of the year. Alittle harder now that I've put new tires, axles, front wheel bearings, and a fuel pump on.
My oil light has never been more than an occasional nuisance when it's very hot out.