Oil light

SCOTTHANNAM

hi all - i'm new to driving so be ptient!

the oil light comes on then goes off on my seat ibiza. small oil seep from the car too for a while

i'm not handy with these things - more a lover than a hands on man.

should i take it to the garage? i have nnnnnnnooooooooooooo money at all but do have cover with a breakdown service. could i call them instead?

thanks in advance. don't bother replying unless you can help

anewman

The oil pressure light should come on when the car is started for a short time, until the normal pressure is reached. This shows that the sensor and the bulb on the dash works. If it comes on while driving then something is wrong. If the oil level itself is ok, then the problem likely resides with the oil pressure switch itself (cheap and easy to replace) or it's wiring. It starts getting more involved if there is something wrong with the oil pump but I guess the effects of this happening would be quite noticeable when the top end of the engine has no supply of oil. The oil leak will have no effect on the pressure unless it's a really bad leak (pouring out rather than dripping).

SCOTTHANNAM

usually it comes on when i am slowing down or in a lower gear. i think that it is a problem that needs attention as oil is dripping very slowly onto the road

would the roadside repair ie AA or similar be a good first option?

jeannieblue

I'm not sure what the AA roadside repair will do - but I doubt that they will diagnose and fix your oil leak

You need to take it to a garage. Ask around friends and family etc for a good garage that won't rip you off. Trust me, there are some good ones around.

Meanwhile - keep an eye on your oil level! Top up if need be.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You shouldn't be driving with oil dripping from your car. Wet road + oil + motorcycle = danger.

maninthestreet

Have you checked the oil level???

anewman

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You shouldn't be driving with oil dripping from your car. Wet road + oil + motorcycle = danger.

Tiny drips do nothing. Oil leaks are only normally noticeable when the car has been parked on one place for a while as it all drips into the same place. Oil has a tendency to look like there is more than there is when on a road. A tiny drip or two every few hundred metres as you drive along will pose no added danger to a motorcyclist. If an oil leak was that much of an issue it would be an MOT fail point. Look in any supermarket car park and you'll see where hundreds of cars have dripped oil. Most motorcyclists I've seen are a danger to themselves without any oil on the road anyway.

The AA will do nothing and you'll have used one of your callouts. They are there to help people who are stranded and cannot get their car started or drive it in such a manner that is safe.

If the oil light comes on while slowing down etc I'd be tempted to change the oil pressure switch. It will only cost about a fiver from a Seat dealers and just unscrews and the new one screws back in.

When was the oil and filter changed last? Crud built up in the switch could cause this sort of issue.

davemorton

anewman wrote: »

Most motorcyclists I've seen are a danger to themselves without any oil on the road anyway..

From what I have observed, being both a car driver, and an ex-biker, it is the car drivers that are at fault from most bike crashes. Car drivers are no where near as observant as bikers, and it is a great belief of mine that everyone should have to drive a bike on the road(ability permitting) before being allowed to pass their car test. It really brings home to you just how vulnerable you are on the road, whatever you are in/on, but it also takes away that sense of being 'all safe in a metal cage' mentality that some car drivers have.


And back the OP's post....yes, make sure you have checked your oil level, if you are not sure how to do that, post, and I am sure someone will be along to explain.

qwerty123456

davemorton wrote: »

From what I have observed, being both a car driver, and an ex-biker, it is the car drivers that are at fault from most bike crashes. Car drivers are no where near as observant as bikers, and it is a great belief of mine that everyone should have to drive a bike on the road(ability permitting) before being allowed to pass their car test. It really brings home to you just how vulnerable you are on the road, whatever you are in/on, but it also takes away that sense of being 'all safe in a metal cage' mentality that some car drivers have.


And back the OP's post....yes, make sure you have checked your oil level, if you are not sure how to do that, post, and I am sure someone will be along to explain.

But would car drivers need to be so observant if bikers weren't weaving in and out of traffic which all bikers do.

maninthestreet

Can we stop this thread descending into a car driver vs. bike rider spat?
OP, have you checked the oil level yet?

Markyt

anewman wrote: »

A tiny drip or two every few hundred metres as you drive along will pose no added danger to a motorcyclist.

Even if it does only drip a little every few hundred yards, what about when the car stops at lights or is parked up? If you like, you can borrow my bike for an afternoon, I'll put a spot of oil on a bend or at a braking point for you, and you can see how little it affects you. Make sure you are insured first, though, I'll be wanting the repairs done.