Engine oil light

MIKE LETLAKALA

MEMBER
2000 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
1.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

My car broke up camshaft timing belt and bent about four exhaust valves. We Replaced everything accordingly including head gasket same gasket, we removed the oil pan cleaned the strainer and replaced oil I drove it for about 100 km in three days it seemed okay and all of a sudden it flashed oil light with strange noise. I parked it for a night next day tied it the light was not there before working temperature. When it reaches working temp the light will come back. One thing I nearly forgot, I have been using this for sometime without thermostat because the housing is broken but it is not overheating. It will drop to 0 at long drive will it cost me that light.

Please help.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi and welcome to 2CarPros.com.

I am sorry, but I do not have the specifics on the Polo 1.4L. However, I have a few questions that may help. First, when the oil pressure shows 0, are the lifters, rod bearings, anything making noise like the engine is starved for oil? Have you confirmed that the oil pressure switch is not faulty or leaking? Take a look through this link. It discusses reasons for low oil pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/high-or-low-engine-oil-pressure

Let me know the answers to the questions so I can better help you. Also, it is common for the oil pressure switch to begin leaking. The result is a loss of oil pressure signal when nothing is wrong other than the switch. When I have an oil light on, there are no engine noised indicating low pressure, I use a mechanical gauge to determine if the electric gauge is correct. Basically, unscrew the electric switch and screw in the mechanical. That way I can tell if there is actually a problem.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe