Mechanics - Is this dangerous to leave?

Goudy

Someone has lent in to unscrew the oil filter and snapped off the plug to the oil pressure sensor.
It's common on these, which is good as it's a simple and cheap fix.

It's not going to leak oil as the sensor it's self is still screwed into the engine block, but the cars ECU cannot detect what's going on with the oil pressure.

I think this sensor is just linked to the dash light, I don't think is does anything else but light the dash warning light when the oil pressure is low. 

More modern cars may have an oil temp sensor which might be linked to the ECU and influence fuelling, but I think your are ok, the Corsa is a simple beast.


I am steaming up with madness after reading your post regarding the cost of fixing, as there is a simple fix and all the parts are dirt cheap!

You need a new oil sensor (less that £7) and that just screws in and out with a spanner (5 minutes).
Oil Pressure Switch For Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 1.2 1.4 - 1252555 1252573 | eBay UK

And a short part to repair the loom/snapped plug
There are companies actually making repair looms/plugs for this problem and list them on Ebay for around £10 or less (there is a early and late plug types, so you need to know which it is) like this
Oil Light Switch Connector Fits Vauxhall Agila Astra Cascada Combo Corsa Meriva | eBay UK

Or there are some used plugs with a bit of cable attached that breakers are selling on Ebay for around the same price like this
VAUXHALL OIL PRESSURE SWITCH SENSOR PLUG & WIRE - Fits many models *Genuine GM | eBay UK

Both of which need soldering in (one wire) after the broken one have been cut off (30 minutes max).
 

PoGee

Thanks for replies. I like the car because I 'know it' but wouldn't take risks unnecessarily. The moment it looks like it's overheating or I see warning lights, I'll reassess the situation.

tedted

You don't need a bit of loom,hold the broken part with pliers and lift up the tab and seperate the parts

PoGee

Also, that looks a fresh clean snap as there are no signs of dirt/ grease from driving on the road. I'm guessing the mechanic did do it but I know it's probably impossible to get them to own up.

facade

The plug has broken off, leaving half in the sensor.

It might just pull out, or it might be too fiddly, and the sensor has to come out, so it might as well have a new one. They "just" unscrew (on a good day, or snap off and need some work to extract on a bad one).

Take it to a garage, like I said one of those backstreet Vauxhall specialists (they are everywhere, there are millions of Vauxhalls about, and they break all the time). I suspect a generic sensor with a lucar clip on will fit & work, which makes the wiring fix extra trivial.

For no cost, as fatbelly says, just keep the oil topped up and forget about it, if you run very low on oil you will wreck the engine though. If you keep the oil topped up it won't make any difference to the way it runs.

You should notice (actually not notice ) that the red oil light doesn't come on when the engine is stopped- the one with like an Alladin's lamp symbol on it.

PoGee

Thanks everyone for replies and advice. It's been very helpful and appreciated. I know what to look out for now - low on engine oil etc.

PoGee

Goudy said:

Someone has lent in to unscrew the oil filter and snapped off the plug to the oil pressure sensor.
It's common on these, which is good as it's a simple and cheap fix.

It's not going to leak oil as the sensor it's self is still screwed into the engine block, but the cars ECU cannot detect what's going on with the oil pressure.

I think this sensor is just linked to the dash light, I don't think is does anything else but light the dash warning light when the oil pressure is low. 

More modern cars may have an oil temp sensor which might be linked to the ECU and influence fuelling, but I think your are ok.


I am steaming up with madness after reading your post regarding the cost of fixing, as there is a simple fix and all the parts are dirt cheap!

You need a new oil sensor (less that £7) and that just screws in and out with a spanner (5 minutes).

And a short part to repair the loom/snapped plug
There are companies actually making repair looms/plugs for this problem and list them on Ebay for around £10 (there is a early and late plug types, so you need to know which it is)

Or there are some used plugs with a bit of cable attached that breakers are selling on Ebay for around the same price.

Both of which need soldering in (one wire) after the broken one have been cut off (30 minutes max).
 

I called my son and he was the same...nearly choked on his food when I told him. 

Goudy

PoGee said:

Goudy said:

Someone has lent in to unscrew the oil filter and snapped off the plug to the oil pressure sensor.
It's common on these, which is good as it's a simple and cheap fix.

It's not going to leak oil as the sensor it's self is still screwed into the engine block, but the cars ECU cannot detect what's going on with the oil pressure.

I think this sensor is just linked to the dash light, I don't think is does anything else but light the dash warning light when the oil pressure is low. 

More modern cars may have an oil temp sensor which might be linked to the ECU and influence fuelling, but I think your are ok.


I am steaming up with madness after reading your post regarding the cost of fixing, as there is a simple fix and all the parts are dirt cheap!

You need a new oil sensor (less that £7) and that just screws in and out with a spanner (5 minutes).

And a short part to repair the loom/snapped plug
There are companies actually making repair looms/plugs for this problem and list them on Ebay for around £10 (there is a early and late plug types, so you need to know which it is)

Or there are some used plugs with a bit of cable attached that breakers are selling on Ebay for around the same price.

Both of which need soldering in (one wire) after the broken one have been cut off (30 minutes max).
 

I called my son and he was the same...nearly choked on his food when I told him. 

This and the £800 exhaust is a sign.

Stop taking it to the main dealers!

PoGee

Goudy said:

PoGee said:

Goudy said:

Someone has lent in to unscrew the oil filter and snapped off the plug to the oil pressure sensor.
It's common on these, which is good as it's a simple and cheap fix.

It's not going to leak oil as the sensor it's self is still screwed into the engine block, but the cars ECU cannot detect what's going on with the oil pressure.

I think this sensor is just linked to the dash light, I don't think is does anything else but light the dash warning light when the oil pressure is low. 

More modern cars may have an oil temp sensor which might be linked to the ECU and influence fuelling, but I think your are ok.


I am steaming up with madness after reading your post regarding the cost of fixing, as there is a simple fix and all the parts are dirt cheap!

You need a new oil sensor (less that £7) and that just screws in and out with a spanner (5 minutes).

And a short part to repair the loom/snapped plug
There are companies actually making repair looms/plugs for this problem and list them on Ebay for around £10 (there is a early and late plug types, so you need to know which it is)

Or there are some used plugs with a bit of cable attached that breakers are selling on Ebay for around the same price.

Both of which need soldering in (one wire) after the broken one have been cut off (30 minutes max).
 

I called my son and he was the same...nearly choked on his food when I told him. 

This and the £800 exhaust is a sign.

Stop taking it to the main dealers!

I got trapped with the lifetime warranty. Won't be buying into the same 'perk' again.

facade

PoGee said:

Goudy said:

PoGee said:

Goudy said:

Someone has lent in to unscrew the oil filter and snapped off the plug to the oil pressure sensor.
It's common on these, which is good as it's a simple and cheap fix.

It's not going to leak oil as the sensor it's self is still screwed into the engine block, but the cars ECU cannot detect what's going on with the oil pressure.

I think this sensor is just linked to the dash light, I don't think is does anything else but light the dash warning light when the oil pressure is low. 

More modern cars may have an oil temp sensor which might be linked to the ECU and influence fuelling, but I think your are ok.


I am steaming up with madness after reading your post regarding the cost of fixing, as there is a simple fix and all the parts are dirt cheap!

You need a new oil sensor (less that £7) and that just screws in and out with a spanner (5 minutes).

And a short part to repair the loom/snapped plug
There are companies actually making repair looms/plugs for this problem and list them on Ebay for around £10 (there is a early and late plug types, so you need to know which it is)

Or there are some used plugs with a bit of cable attached that breakers are selling on Ebay for around the same price.

Both of which need soldering in (one wire) after the broken one have been cut off (30 minutes max).
 

I called my son and he was the same...nearly choked on his food when I told him. 

This and the £800 exhaust is a sign.

Stop taking it to the main dealers!

I got trapped with the lifetime warranty. Won't be buying into the same 'perk' again.

Like I've said twice now, look for one of those backstreet Vauxhall specialists, they know all the quirks and (usually) do a good job for sensible money.

Try asking on your local facebook group for recommendations from other owners.

Failing that any garage off the main road can mend a Corsa at a fraction of what the dealer charges.

Servicing won't be much cheaper, as the dealers know they have to compete on servicing, but then sting you for a fortune for the work that inevitably "needs doing" when they service it.

The "lifetime warranty" isn't worth much on a 14 year old car....