Mechanics - Is this dangerous to leave?

PoGee

My car just had an mot/service. It's a 14/15 year old corsa They gave an advisory on their app (but not the MOT cert) - ''oil pressure sensor snapped in plug, needs replaced and wiring repair''.

How would it have snapped? They gave a price which seems high - how much it should cost? There are no oil leaks. Will the engine blow up if I don't get it done? I only want to keep it for another year  so hope it'll last that long especially as I've forked out £500 for the service/mot/other repairs. 

Is this something the vauxhall lifetime warranty would cover?

They did a video showing it pulled out - surely they wouldn't just leave it hanging out and let me drive off? The advice given was - keep eye on coolant/oil levels/warning light.

Ayr_Rage

PoGee said:

My car just had an mot/service. It's a 14/15 year old corsa They gave an advisory on their app (but not the MOT cert) - ''oil sensor snapped in plug, needs replaced and wiring repair''.

How would it have snapped? They gave a price which seems high - how much it should cost? There are no oil leaks. Will the engine blow up if I don't get it done? I only want to keep it for another year  so hope it'll last that long especially as I've forked out £500 for the service/mot/other repairs. 

Is this something the vauxhall lifetime warranty would cover?

They did a video showing it pulled out - surely they wouldn't just leave it hanging out and let me drive off? The advice given was - keep eye on coolant/oil levels/warning light.

Ask Vauxhall if they will cover it.

It won't have been pulled out if there is no leak, part has snapped in the block and the rest of the plug is just hanging, probably accidental damage by a mechanic.

As it is not a MOT failure item they quite rightly let you leave to get it fixed.

Whether it is a pressure or level sensor you are risking engine damage of you have low pressure or a leak you do not see.

I am surprised that a disconnected sensor is not already throwing up a dashboard warning light.

PoGee

Thanks Air_Rage - they quoted me £1130 for it because 'needs wiring repair also'. Does that sound right?

Ayr_Rage

PoGee said:

Thanks Air_Rage - they quoted me £1130 for it because 'needs wiring repair also'. Does that sound right?

If it needs a whole wiring harness then that may be the price.

I'd get a second opinion and see if an auto electrician can repair the electrics rather than a full replacement.

As the car is 15 years old spending £1130 on a mainstream banger is daft if you only plan to keep it for a year.

If it has passed the MOT and is running without any major issues I'd run it for a year then sell it "as is" or send it to car heaven.

Other opinions will be along shortly I am sure.

Mildly_Miffed

They gave an advisory on "their app", and a huge quote, with mention of the Vauxhall "lifetime warranty". That warranty only applied to first owners, up to 100k miles, and was binned in 2015 for new cars.

So we're talking about a main dealer, aren't we...?

If the oil pressure sender is not connected, then the bigger risk is that you won't know if you suddenly have a lack of oil pressure. Not, at least, until the engine seizes. If you're the type who regards the oil pressure light as a "Oh, I'd better check the level" light, then...

If the plug to the sender is damaged, that's a ten minute job for an autoelectrician.
If the sender itself is snapped, that could be a bit trickier to remove, but shouldn't be beyond the wit of somebody with a big nut and a welder.

Trouble is, main dealers won't/can't do that. They swap the very premium priced parts that the manufacturer supplies, for a very premium labour rate. No thinking outside the box allowed.

No, the "lifetime warranty" will not cover it. It only covered manufacturing faults, and the chances of one of those popping up now are about zero. It did not cover wear and tear or damage from external causes - and this is damage or simple aging.

PoGee

Thanks again Air_Rage. I just had a look - it was hanging out so pushed it back in and seems to be holding but that's just with the engine switched on and car moved a few feet. Is it ok to push back in like this? Should I put a bit of tape round it? 
It's definitely running without any issue because I usually keep up to date with all recommended repairs. I paid £800 for a new exhaust (think it was the front 2 parts of exhaust system) last year. The sensor switch quote is a bit steep, especially if the mechanic might have done it accidentally. 

PoGee

Top picture is of the switch pulled out.

facade

I doubt if pushing it together will connect it.

It looks like the plug that is attached to the wire is broken off- can you take a picture more end-on to the plug, the part with the red rubber rings round it?

An auto electrician could fit a new plug for orders of magnitude less than the £1130 Vauxhall quoted- if they can get a new plug.

Take it to one of those back street Vauxhall specialists with a dozen partially dismantled scrap cars round the back, I'd just cut the plug and 6" of wire off a scrap car and join it to yours in around 30 minutes to do a good job.

Then either the broken piece will pull out of the sensor, or it needs a new one, even at Vauxhall prices it can't be more than £50.

PoGee

Thanks for replies. I've taken another picture.

ButterCheese

The fix involves removing the part that has snapped off (but still threaded in) and getting a new sender which is ~£10.  The more expensive bit is the labout in cutting off the snapped part that you have pulled out, and re-connecting the wires to the new sensor.  I doubt if it would be more than £120 but I would go to a reputable garage or auto-electrician and get another quote.  If it's not throwing up any warning lights then you could leave as is, make sure you check your oil level regularly, and see how long it lasts.  The snapped off part in the sump (or wherever it goes in) is probably still holding pressure enough that your engine will remain lubricated enough, but that's the risk you take.  If you lack oil pressure, the oil won't squirt where it's supposed to, but you won't realise until you get a physical warning sign.  This could be over heating, noises, hot smells, loss in MPG, loss of power, total engine seizure or engine internals exiting through your bonnet if you're really unlucky

fatbelly

On a 15-y-o car I'd just live with it but regularly check levels -which you should do anyway. Be extra vigilant about leaks.