Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: mantaray on 01 March 2017, 19:01:55

Title: Oil Light problem.
Post by: mantaray on 01 March 2017, 19:01:55
2.6 V6

While sitting in trafic the other day, the oil light came on. I cheaked the oil level and all seemed to be ok.
But today it has come on again when engine is below 1000 revs, increase the revs to over 1000 and it goes out. Oil level is fine.

Is this down to a worn oil pump?

Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: tunnie on 01 March 2017, 19:04:11
The oil light as in red light or the warning on the display?

Red oil light = Pressure
Oil on Display = Level
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: VXL V6 on 01 March 2017, 19:05:38
I've had this on a 2.2DTi and it turned out to be nothing more than a faulty pressure switch.

Given all the oil pressure sensors on Vx cars look very similar / identical it's probably worth checking.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: mantaray on 01 March 2017, 19:10:49
The oil light, as in red light on clocks.


Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Bigron on 01 March 2017, 19:12:35
If the oil light goes out at over 1,000,  is it still likely to be just the switch?
OP, are there any other indications that the oil pressure might be low?

Ron.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 01 March 2017, 19:14:05
When was the pick up pipe last checked ? . These engines seem to have a tendency to block up the mesh on the pipe.it starts with occasional low pressure as it gets nearly blocked and then struggles to suck and can block completely. If you haven't done it recently or ever then it's definitely worth doing. A very common problem .easy enough to sort out. Plastic sump cover off,oil drained,lower sump off being careful to remove oil level sensor once inside. Then remove pick up pipe. Clean thoroughly,refit with new o ring.clean sump faces,refit sensor and replace sump.mine used sealant only.no gasket.refill new oil and filter and away you go
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: VXL V6 on 01 March 2017, 19:14:25
If the oil light goes out at over 1,000,  is it still likely to be just the switch?
OP, are there any other indications that the oil pressure might be low?

Ron.

Yes that was my experience with a DTi
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 01 March 2017, 19:17:12
You could try a pressure reading from the engine by fitting a test guard but the v6 engines are prone to the pick up pipe blocking.usually due to lack of oil changes,short runs,breather box grunge being forced into sump ! Worth doin for piece of mind
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: tunnie on 01 March 2017, 19:19:23
When was the pick up pipe last checked ? . These engines seem to have a tendency to block up the mesh on the pipe.it starts with occasional low pressure as it gets nearly blocked and then struggles to suck and can block completely. If you haven't done it recently or ever then it's definitely worth doing. A very common problem .easy enough to sort out. Plastic sump cover off,oil drained,lower sump off being careful to remove oil level sensor once inside. Then remove pick up pipe. Clean thoroughly,refit with new o ring.clean sump faces,refit sensor and replace sump.mine used sealant only.no gasket.refill new oil and filter and away you go

Not really! Very rare I would say. Perhaps on SAAB, but not on Vauxhall.

I dropped sump on my 3.2 at approx 145k, feed pickup was totally clear.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 01 March 2017, 19:20:08
Before shitting a brick, what mileage and what oil?
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: mantaray on 01 March 2017, 19:25:45
Don't know what sort of history the engine has, only had the car a few months. I have done an oil and filter change, rocker gaskits and have a new 2-4-6 coil pack to fit as it shows a code for miss fire on 2.

Think I will try a new pressure switch first, as it seems to be an intermitent fault, and if that does not cure it then I'll drop the sump cover and try the pick up pipe.

Mileage is 139000, oil 10W40

Thanks for the advice so far.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 01 March 2017, 19:34:07
Flickering light at idle isn't unusual on higher mileage or neglected cars...

As long as the light goes out as soon as the revs move, then don't fret it :y

Was also going to suggest using 10w40 instead of 5w30, but you've ruled that out ;)
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: mantaray on 01 March 2017, 19:43:07

As long as the light goes out as soon as the revs move, then don't fret it :y


That was my thinking too.  I've done about 2000 mile since owning the car and the oil light problem has only just started, so not too worried. Would just like to get her all good and sorted as i am starting to like her over my 2.5 TD.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 01 March 2017, 19:46:41
Worth confirming with a gauge. When I got my omega the oil light came on and engine had no oil pressure. Switched off ,started again light went out,1 mile down road came back on again. Removed oil pressure switch ,fitted gauge started up and pressure was there but only just .30 secs later pressure gone again.drained oil ,removed sump,pick up pipe totally blocked. Unknown history before I got car.cleaned pipe,new o ring rebuilt and checked. Oil pressure up to 4 bar and 2 at idle. Kept gauge on for a month. All ok . That was my experience and that was after googling problem.took me to this omega site and a posting my James. It was the problem on mine ,may not be on yours but easy job to check and then you know it's definitely not blocked.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: MonzaGSE on 01 March 2017, 19:49:18
Happens from time to time on my X30xe. Maybe a couple of times a year. Only at idle and when the engine has been working Harder than usual. Always goes out above idle rpm. Pickup is clear and car has done almost 500.000km so havent bothered with it. I just make sure i dont keep it idling with the light on.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: STEMO on 01 March 2017, 20:30:30
Happens from time to time on my X30xe. Maybe a couple of times a year. Only at idle and when the engine has been working Harder than usual. Always goes out above idle rpm. Pickup is clear and car has done almost 500.000km so havent bothered with it. I just make sure i dont keep it idling with the light on.
If the engine has been 'working hard' then the oil is probably very hot and a bit 'thinner'.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Nick W on 01 March 2017, 22:19:00
With those symptoms, I would invest £5 in a new oil pressure switch. Common Vauxhall failure. You'll fix one of the designed in oil leaks while you're at it ::)
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Andy H on 01 March 2017, 22:33:35
With those symptoms, I would invest £5 in a new oil pressure switch. Common Vauxhall failure. You'll fix one of the designed in oil leaks while you're at it ::)
Or split the casting and make it 10 times worse :P
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Andy H on 01 March 2017, 22:38:39
I don't understand the reluctance to drop the oil pan and ladle the gunk out of the oil pick up (and  from the ledges around the sump where the gunk likes to accumulate) :-\
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: serek on 01 March 2017, 22:50:05
some times this can be a problem
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2cgojg3.jpg)

Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 02 March 2017, 10:20:13
I don't understand the reluctance to drop the oil pan and ladle the gunk out of the oil pick up (and  from the ledges around the sump where the gunk likes to accumulate) :-\
.                           Same as mine. Mine came with no service history and not much signs of anything replaced by previous owner so mine had an unknown history oil change wise. My oil light came on and as you say pick up pipe and ledges around were all gunked up. At least i know mine is now clear.someone posted earlier about how clean his was inside.that shows more than likely that his was well maintained and had regular oil changes.something that when buying a unknown quantity like mine is in doubt.!
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 02 March 2017, 10:44:40
I remember a mate of mine bought a chevette years ago. Took the rocker cover off and it just had a mass of jelly underneath, which wobbled around on the rockers when you started the engine.  ;D

The breathers had also saturated the air filter with manky oil.

A couple of oil changes, adjust the tappets and a good service and it ran beautifully. The seller probably wouldn't have got shot of it if he'd bothered to service it. As it was, my mate got quite a bargain.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 02 March 2017, 12:15:52
You were lucky .we had a manta years sgo that had not had an oil change in 70k. It wouldnt drain out of the sump !
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 March 2017, 16:02:45
Try anything that belongs or used to belong to a farmer, be it automotive or machinery!

We have a number of selected pieces of steel which are regularly used to 'rod' oil drains!
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: omegod on 02 March 2017, 16:21:33
I'd drop the sump personally, I've know two 2.6's that have expired with oil starvation to the rear of the drivers side bank.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: mantaray on 05 March 2017, 21:18:41
Droped the sump today, and although there was a little bit of sluge in the pan,not enough to worry about.

So looks like it is the oil pressure switch. Will get a new one and see if that sorts it.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 17 March 2017, 15:30:42
What was the pick up pipe like. ?  And did you check/ change the pick up pipe o ring. Sorry if you have put it all back together now.not being nosey or telling you what to do just passing on what i did to mine after reading several similar reports on here .
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Nick W on 17 March 2017, 15:57:29
Droped the sump today, and although there was a little bit of sluge in the pan,not enough to worry about.

So looks like it is the oil pressure switch. Will get a new one and see if that sorts it.


Hence my suggestion to spend the £5 and a minute with a 24mm spanner FIRST ::)
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 17 March 2017, 22:55:39
Yes the switches do tend to leak anyway so worth fitting a new one. After removing the sump at least its now piece of mind that you know its all clean in there. What i did with mine is temporarly fitted a cav/ manta 2 terminal sender unit and ran it to a guage and left it on for a few journeys. Before i took sump off and cleaned pick up the guage only barely registered even when light was out but dropped to nothing in conjuction with light. Afterwards pressure was up near 4.5 bar and two at idle
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Andy H on 18 March 2017, 07:58:58
Yes the switches do tend to leak anyway so worth fitting a new one. After removing the sump at least its now piece of mind that you know its all clean in there. What i did with mine is temporarly fitted a cav/ manta 2 terminal sender unit and ran it to a guage and left it on for a few journeys. Before i took sump off and cleaned pick up the guage only barely registered even when light was out but dropped to nothing in conjuction with light. Afterwards pressure was up near 4.5 bar and two at idle
This^
The only purpose of the oil pressure switch is to tell you when the engine is scrap.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 18 March 2017, 17:50:25
Exactly .im not 100% sure but I think the oil pressure switch turns the light off at anything above 0.5 bar. So this means that your engine could be running all day long at 0.6 bar and you wouldn't know. It's a pity most cars don't have a gauge on the dash .(fitting aftermarket gauges always looks tacky to me.)this would also tell you of a stuck relief valve sending the pressure up through the roof at higher revs.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: BazaJT on 20 March 2017, 07:54:43
The Senators always had an oil pressure gauge,I never did understand why GM deleted this from the Omega.
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: cam.in.head on 20 March 2017, 09:45:13
I know. Going back to senator era vauxhallls,all normal spec cars got a fuel and temp guage and all higher spec stuff always got an oil pressure and a voltmeter.viva,cav,manta,carlton,senator.i have been trying to work out if i could fit my guage somewhere on my omega but to make it look stock.i bought an instrument cluster to experiment with.not come to any satisfactory way yet !
Title: Re: Oil Light problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 20 March 2017, 11:29:33
The Senators always had an oil pressure gauge,I never did understand why GM deleted this from the Omega.

Probably because the average seat-steering wheel interface didn't have a clue what it was telling them and those who didn't completely ignore it would fret about it reading higher on a cold morning than after a good spanking on a hot day.

Same reason car manufacturers are now either removing temperature gauges in favour of a warning light or engineering in a large "dead zone" so the gauge doesn't move over the normal range of operating temperature.

Not saying it's right, just a symptom of what a car manufacturer has to deal with. ;)