Oil pressure

becky4131

Hoping someone can give me some advice

I was driving to work yesterday when my oil light came on flashing and beeping (red oil can symbol). I was stuck in a line of traffic so couldn't pull in and when i started moving again it went off. It happened again a few miles later this time when i was stuck at traffic lights but luckily i was able to pull into layby and stop engine.

I rang the rac who came straight to me and checked my oil level (fine) and although light had gone off again advised i didn't drive it, they towed me to a garage where i could get a courtesy car and get to work asap.

The garage have today rang me to let me know costs and problem with car etc. They had it ticking over yesterday for a few hours attached to oil pressure machine and it was fine with no warning lights etc.
They advised to have oil pressure switch replaced and a full oil change/filter including a clean out of the engine as he seems to think there could be oil clogging causing the problem.

The garage has quoted me £291 for this.

Do you think this is a reasonable price? im concerned that as a young female they might try to rip me off. It was higher than i was expecting especially as my car is serviced every october and has oil changed each time and don't remember it costing much.

Any opinions appreciated. Thanks

colino

What kind of car?

becky4131

Oops forgot that bit sorry.

Its a VW beetle 2004 1.6l petrol. About 78,000 miles on the clock.

Stooby2

I'd just go with the oil pressure switch and leave it at that, unless it's been years since the last oil change. Once done give it a good run. if the problem occurs again, then start looking at an oil change.

jobdone1

Euro car parts sell a pressure switch for £16.74 vierol make. A little labour plus £40 of oil at worst so in my view a little steep.

forgotmyname

Change the switch, Get a standard oil change.

Then in 3 months or 3000 miles whichever is less get another oil change done.

Repeat another 2 or 3 times and all should be well.

Oil change intervals are a maximum not a target.

red_eye

becky4131 wrote: »

Hoping someone can give me some advice

I was driving to work yesterday when my oil light came on flashing and beeping (red oil can symbol). I was stuck in a line of traffic so couldn't pull in and when i started moving again it went off. It happened again a few miles later this time when i was stuck at traffic lights but luckily i was able to pull into layby and stop engine.

I rang the rac who came straight to me and checked my oil level (fine) and although light had gone off again advised i didn't drive it, they towed me to a garage where i could get a courtesy car and get to work asap.

The garage have today rang me to let me know costs and problem with car etc. They had it ticking over yesterday for a few hours attached to oil pressure machine and it was fine with no warning lights etc.
They advised to have oil pressure switch replaced and a full oil change/filter including a clean out of the engine as he seems to think there could be oil clogging causing the problem.

The garage has quoted me £291 for this.

Do you think this is a reasonable price? im concerned that as a young female they might try to rip me off. It was higher than i was expecting especially as my car is serviced every october and has oil changed each time and don't remember it costing much.

Any opinions appreciated. Thanks

oil pressure switch seems expensive as the labour cant be a lot, most cars its unplug and unscrew the old and screw in and pulg the new one one

becky4131

Thanks for the replies.

I am going to ask for breakdown of costs but will probably have the work done as stuck working long hours next few days so unable to shop around.

It's due MOT in October so will get another oil change then. Will be selling the car soon anyway but don't want to sell it with known faults.

colino

Proper practice would be to go to a decent garage with a pressure gauge they can temporarily substitute for the switch and confirm it has good oil pressure at all ranges. Cheaper alternative is to give it a filter and oil change and replace the £15 switch.

reeac

colino wrote: »

Proper practice would be to go to a decent garage with a pressure gauge they can temporarily substitute for the switch and confirm it has good oil pressure at all ranges. Cheaper alternative is to give it a filter and oil change and replace the £15 switch.

O.P. has already had the oil pressure checked and proved OK. Also states that the oil's been changed annually [on a car with av. annual mileage of around 8000] so just change the switch and see if that cures the problem.

Ratboy

As stated, the switch is very cheap, nowhere near the price quoted.

I reckon anyone that can wire a plug can replace this item. No oil change required, just a bit of oil to top up.

Unplug connector, unscrew sensor from block, replace, replace connector, done.

Amazing that a garage would charge that! Did they have cowboy hats on?