Audi s3 oil light flashing red, replaced sensor, pickup, breather and pump 3 times!

[tiki2402]

So monday I purchased a mark 1 s3 with 95000 on the clock, after driving it home with the oil light flashing intermittently I began asking the previous owner for any advice, he then proceeded to tell me that he had the oil pump changed 3 times, the breather once, sensor once and pickup once and yet it still persisted. He then told me that a friend of his had said that the sump plug thread was knackered and that it needs to be helicoiled, could this really be the reason for the red oil light to keep coming on?
Any help much appreciated, thinking about replacing the sump and plug to see if it solves it!

 

[voorhees]

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/102890-s3-sump-removal-refit-pics.html

 

[s3dave]

So if the sump plug is bad, the light could be no oil??
Stop driving it until you source the problem, or the red light will be the least of your worries...

 

[voorhees]

Sad to see an S treated this way

 

[kwistof]

after driving it home with the oil light flashing intermittently

Did you pull over and even check the oil level once the light was flashing?

 

[tiki2402]

The oil level is near on perfect, any ideas? Thanks

 

[s3dave]

I would get the sump off, what people say they have done and what as been done maybe different?

 

[tiki2402]

Good point, I thought that too, but there are receipts to prove it, it had a bottom end rebuild a couple thousand miles ago, could the sump plug have been put back shabbily? Should also say that 2000 miles ago was 2 years ago.

 

[tiki2402]

Also its just been in for a recent service, maybe that could've damaged the plug. Can anyone recommend a place to get a sump and plug kit from? Thanks for the help

 

[kwistof]

Should also say that 2000 miles ago was 2 years ago.

****** hell....

I did 2000 miles just in August of this year! lol

In terms of a sump, plug and kit from- 3 options I've found.

1. TPS - OEM genuine parts cheaper than dealer.
2. GFS/ Euro Car Parts/ Car parts 4 less - doubt they will be OEM genuine but will be the cheapest option - check between the 3 sites for the cheapest option.
3. Forge baffled sump - if you want to upgrade the sump from OEM - it's about twice the price of an OEM one....you will also need to buy a sump plug and ring. I've got an ECS tuning one...these both can be purchased from Awesome GTI or DPM who are a site sponsors

 

[tiki2402]

****** hell....

I did 2000 miles just in August of this year! lol

In terms of a sump, plug and kit from- 3 options I've found.

1. TPS - OEM genuine parts cheaper than dealer.
2. GFS/ Euro Car Parts/ Car parts 4 less - doubt they will be OEM genuine but will be the cheapest option - check between the 3 sites for the cheapest option.
3. Forge baffled sump - if you want to upgrade the sump from OEM - it's about twice the price of an OEM one....you will also need to buy a sump plug and ring. I've got an ECS tuning one...these both can be purchased from Awesome GTI or DPM who are a site sponsors

Well the last owner before me had done 2000 miles in 2 years as he had a van for work, awesome dude thats some great info, will have a look at all of those options, baffled sump sounds very tempting though!

 

[vfr800]

I'd get a third party oil pressure sensor and plumb it in so you can see what the oil pressure really is.

Maybe it's a dodgy earth somewhere - just an electrical gremlin?

Liam

 

[tiki2402]

I'd get a third party oil pressure sensor and plumb it in so you can see what the oil pressure really is.

Maybe it's a dodgy earth somewhere - just an electrical gremlin?

Liam

Thanks liam

Would a local garage be able to do that? Cheers

 

[vfr800]

I'd hope so, but it's the sort of thing I'd do myself.

I had a look on eBay earlier and there were quite a few sensors and display bundles for not too much £. You need to make sure you know where to plumb it in and stuff etc.

Liam

 

[kwistof]

Would a local garage be able to do that? Cheers

If you're not carrying out the work yourself, then what's your location?

You could be round the corner from a reputable VAG tuner for all you know

 

[Andrew@A.L.D]

What grade of oil are you running ?

 

[tiki2402]

Im running 5w30 and im located in norwich, norfolk. I wouldn't know where to plumb in the new sensor so would leave that to a professional.
Thanks for the help.

 

[kwistof]

I'm from the SE - so can't be of much help concerning garages in your area- but maybe someone else could recommend one in your area mate.

Get off the 5w30 and chuck some Quantum Platinum 5w40 in her (available from TPS)

 

[tiki2402]

I'm from the SE - so can't be of much help concerning garages in your area- but maybe someone else could recommend one in your area mate.

Get off the 5w30 and chuck some Quantum Platinum 5w40 in her (available from TPS)

much obliged kwistof!

 

[tiki2402]

Replacing the oil sump and oil pressure switch on Tuesday along with some decent 5w40 oil and filter, will let you know the outcome! Thanks

 

[Gops]

How about testing the oil level sensor plug to see if it's seeing any voltage? Might have a dodgy wire?

 

[tiki2402]

The sump plug recieves a voltage? Thats new to me, tell me more....

 

[Gops]

Edited!^

 

[tiki2402]

Ah I see, will do, thanks for the advice, although it's not the oil level sensor light coming on ita the oil pressure light.

 

[tiki2402]

Update: Replaced the sump, oil and filter today, found the cause of the problem, looks like the last person to have the sump off put a bit too much sealant around the pickup pipe gasket, causing it to partially block of some oil flow, all sorted now, no more annoying oil light! Yipee!

 

[s3dave]

Great news but sealant should not be on the pickup, it should have an O ring to seal..

 

[tiki2402]

I think thats what it was, it may be the oil return pipe for the turbo actually.

 

[tiki2402]

Ok update again:

So last monday I replaced the sump, oil and filter and the light stayed a way for a day or so and came back on, gutted!

So today I replaced the gasket for the oil feed pipe for the turbo at the sump end and replaced the oil pressure sensor with an aftermarket one, now the light seems to come on more regularly than before!

Any help people?

So ive devided to replace the oil pressure switch with a genuine audi part tomorrow to see if it cures the problem.

Also ive heard using a genuine audi oil filter may make a difference, can anyone shed anu light on this?

Much Love

 

[tiki2402]

Update!

Replaced the oil pressure sensor with a genuine article and all is good! Bout time!

 

[tiki2402]

Update again:

Oil light back on but not as much, only happens when the car is warm and below 2k revs, really running out of ideas now, any advice peeps?

Thanks

 

[ManuGD]

Could it be low oil pressure?
IMHO it would be great to install a gauge to check the oil pressure under different use conditions. Maybe then you can make some conclusions.
A friend with a BMW had similar issues and it was all about oil pressure.

 

[tiki2402]

Yeah I think thats the next step tbh, other than getting an oil pressure test done, thanks.