T5 2.5TDI oil pressure

[Okaruss]

History: oil pressure alarm intermitantly coming on. no change in engine noise or performance. gradually became worse. purchased new oil pressure switch (VW), fitted made no difference. Made fitting to enable measurement of oil pressure.

0.35bar (5psi) at idle and same when revved.
oil pressure switch switches between 0.75 and 1.05bar, hence alarm.
what should i look for now?
is 0.35bar enough?
could there be a relief valve stuck? or need adjusting?

any ideas?

okaruss

[Transporter]

How many kms on engine? do you have any service history? What oil was used?

[Okaruss]

166k km. replaced waterpump about 2000km ago.
using castrol longlife 3 5w-30 (504/507) oil as supplied by VW dealer.
previous owner had van serviced 10k intervals by VW specialist. unsure what oil was used by them.

[Transporter]

How is the engine inside can you see any sludge there? When you replaced the water pump, did you change the engine oil and the oil filter? If you have the borescope you could look inside through the oil drain plug at the oil pump strainer, check for the gank on it.

What year/months was the van made? If before July/2006 you should be using VW506.01

[Okaruss]

flushed with new oil+filter after water pump fitted. ran oil for about 300km. then changed oil and filter. no sludge present in oil fill tube since pump changed.
van is 12/2004

[Transporter]

VW506.01 is the right oil for your engine. It's hard to speculate what's wrong with your engine but I suspect the camshaft/valve train are worn out and you're losing the pressure there.

---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------

Make sure the oil pump strainer is clean before you do anything else.

[jfoldbar]

the oil pumps going on these is not unheard of causing low oil pressure, though im not sure how you check this. a google search may help.

[Okaruss]

Finally found the time to remove the sump.(Now thats a tricky little job in itself.) Found oil pick up very blocked with aluminium, some sort of fragmented seal and fine strands of stuff of unknown origin. I'm thinking that all this stuff is the remains of the waterpump internals that crapped itself not long back and found its way to the sump.
I've taken a few pictures and will post again with them and some more words.
Now to get that sump pan back on without getting glue over everything.

[Okaruss]

Here is some pics of the blocked oil pick up. putting it all back together tomorrow.

[Sunny43.5]

Thats some pretty scary crap in the pick up will be interested to hear if oil pressure returns to normal after its back together , fingers crossed for you .

[Okaruss]

WooHoo! 3 bar (42psi) oil pressure at idle. I still think just how close i was to seizing the engine, thinking all the time it was just a faulty switch. Shows just how valuable a oil pressure gauge is. Hopefully now won't have to lift the bonnet for a while.

[BrianJ]

WooHoo! 3 bar (42psi) oil pressure at idle. I still think just how close i was to seizing the engine, thinking all the time it was just a faulty switch. Shows just how valuable a oil pressure gauge is. Hopefully now won't have to lift the bonnet for a while.

Well done, you have been very fortunate, that rubbish was very scary, did your waterpump break up badly. I had mine replaced at about 90,000km but hopefully that didn't happen, I was only losing a little bit of water over one service span.

Brian

[Transporter]

WooHoo! 3 bar (42psi) oil pressure at idle. I still think just how close i was to seizing the engine, thinking all the time it was just a faulty switch. Shows just how valuable a oil pressure gauge is. Hopefully now won't have to lift the bonnet for a while.

You were very lucky indeed. Hopefully there is not scoring of the engine bearings that would affect engine in a long run. Did you fit the permanent oil pressure gauge or at least run the oil hose - making the port somewhere more convenient where you can easily tap in to check the oil pressure if in doubts?

Consider the magnetic sump plug.

I always have them in my engines and always in the stock. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...tml#post676882
My magnetic sump plugs are designed for that scenario, that's why they're longer than these that you can buy on ebay and have the strongest magnetic force, they can hold a spanner on the outside hex.

[Okaruss]

I suppose only time will tell if any internal damage has been done. I'm forntunate that i've driven the van conserviatly and not thrashed it or over revved it.
Yes BrianJ, the water pump self destructed. Shaft was just wobbling around in the housing, water in eng. oil.
I fitted the oil pressure switch back in but plan to install a gauge.
Magnetic sump plug is a good idea. I've had a few early 70's Datsun's and they had them as standard.
Here is a picture of inside the sump for those who may never get to see inside.(i hope you never have to)

[alan131]

Just a quick "thank you" for this post and photos. I've been debating whether to pull my sump to investigate low oil pressure (couple of blinks at startup but more importantly periodic tappet rattle and somethingelse intermittently noisy from the sump) or just fit a temporary oil pressure gauge. I've come across reports of the pickup being blocked by sludge and was thinking about getting in there but now you've made my mind up for me - well worth a look for the peace of mind....