Diesel power loss & low oil pressure
 

Good afternoon all,

Yesterday while coming off the spittals roundabout, I lost power & the low oil pressure warning appeared on the IPK. I coasted over fo the hard shoulder, turned off & opened the bonnet expecting to see the engine bay covered in oil. It wasn't. The oil level was around the max mark & once restarted the engine ran fine.
Anyone have any ideas as to what could have caused this, and what steps I should take?
Also when pulling away yesterday, there was a low drone which lasted a second or two, but it has not reoccurred today.
Over the past few weeks I have felt the performance had dipped & that fuel economy had also dropped.
My car is an auto, if that has any bearing on the matter.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

Have you cleaned your pcv filter.
Do you have oil in the water tank
Check the wiring on the oil pressure sensor

The low oil pressure only flagged up because the engine stopped, so you can ignore that.

Thanks for the quick replies Gents,

the PCV filter was replaced at my last service, but I will check it & replace it as a precaution. I had checked the coolant before I set out yesterday & it did not show any signs of being contaminated, however, I will check it before I leave work tonight.
As for the low oil pressure, that warning appeared before I switched the engine off, which is a bit concerning. As you suggest Pete, it is a good idea to check the wiring anyway - just in case

Thanks,

Rob

Was the engine still running when the low oil pressure flagged up then?

If it stalls you will get that warning before you turn the ignition off.

You mentioned coasting to a halt, and as you have an auto, then I assumed it had stalled.

in order you should.......

1 Check plenum
2 Test for injector leakback
3 fuel pump?? is this the low hum noise you describe perhaps?

As has be pointed out previously the oil pressure warning is a red herring caused when the engine stopped with the ignition still turned on.

The gradual loss of performance can creep up unnoticed, but a T4 check would pinpoint any deficiencies, but low fuel pressure can cause a multitude of sins ;)

I wonder if Trikey may ne placed to give your car the once over :shrug:

Happy hunting

Brian :D

Evening Gents,

I presumed the engine was still running, however, I cannot be certain now. I didn't get any feedback to suggest the engine had stopped so I assumed it was running. I could quite easily be wrong though!
The leakback test will have to wait until Monday as I'm back at work (why do things like this happen on ones last day off?), but I'll check the plenum later. I do usually hear the fuel pump, again I will check later. My tank was 3/4 full so I presume that rules that out?
Philt4 done the remap for me so I shall see if I can pay him a visit. If not a trip to Lincolnshire may be in order!

Thanks,

Rob

You at get Trikey to hop over....;)

Evening all,

Just an update for you all. I can hear the UBP running on start up, my oil level is good, my plenum is dry & there is no oil in coolant. I am arranging to meet Phil next week for a health check. Fingers crossed it finds the (non serious) fault.

Rob