[Nx]

Hi
I have just bought secondhand I30 58 plate a week ago.  Noticed tonight the oil warning light flickering when parked on incline.  Put on flat, checked oil level, low but light no longer lit.  Went to halfords, filled up whilst there.  So far so good, no light etc.  Got home parked on slight incline, light lit and flashing again.  If I rev engine above 1000 light goes out only to return flashing sometimes or on permanent under 1000 revs.

I will do another oil check tomorrow once at work and car been parked for few hrs just in case more oil required.  Anyone had this experience?  I suspect a reurn to dealer may be required but would like to go armed with a bit of knowledge!

Many thanks
Nx

[Asterix]

Hi Nx

Definitely back to dealer.

I think it could be 2 different things.

1.
Defect oil pressure sensor. On many cars there's 1 sensor for low pressure and one for higher pressure. Maybe the one for low pressure is defect.

2.
Worse thing could be defect oil pump. You need to have the oilpressure tested asap. If the oilpressure is too low, you don't do your engine any good by driving it.

Hope you got it sorted out quickly.

[Nx]

Thank you Asterix

So annoying ... dealer is 8 miles away  I will give them a call in morning.  Thanks to you I can be armed with a bit more info than "err think theres something wrong with the car".  Will let you know the outcome.

Nx

[Asterix]

Yeah, but not annoying compaired to the engine throwing a leg (pistonrod) out of the side of the engine.

Didn't see it was your first post. 

Welcome to this great forum, Nx

Asterix

[Dazzler]

Welcome Nx .. How low was low? below the low oil mark on the dipstick?? Hope it is nothing serious

Is it Diesel or Petrol (If Diesel you need to use fully synthetic oil)

[Nx]

MMM yes!  Now that would make me mad LOL

I'm very glad I found this forum!!!  I have to admit that until a few yrs ago, I couldn't have even changed a bulb but thanks to having to be independent, forums like this a a gold mine.  Not going to pretend that I will be able to do much more than basic maintenance etc but it does go a long way when dealing with some mechanics/garages to at let let them think that you are a bit more clued up. 

In the past I have been taken for a right mug, just because I thought I had to believe all they told me.   I suspect the car dealer is going to have ruff time with me tomorrow! 

Hi Dazzler - above low on the dipstick marker and car is petrol.  I got Halfords to check required oil before they sold it! Put in 1/2 ltr, got enough to do same again if needed in case I have to drive to dealers, though going to request they come and pick it up so not to risk any possible damage if its pump related.

[Dazzler]

Glad you are finding us Handy. Asterix used to be a VW service Manager so his knowledge comes in handy 

[Nx]

 
Im in good company then 

Have to say until I saw this car, I had my heart set on Polo 1.4 Twist.  I read a lot about Hyundai before making my decision.  They seem to be a good make.  My car is taking a little bit getting used to but then previous car was a Rover 25!!!  Tad bit dif 

[komaterpillar]

I reckon that when you were parked on the slope, due to the low oil level, the oil pick up would have been partially exposed allowing it to suck air, causing a subsequent drop in oil pressure, when you gave it a rev the pump would have then sucked enough oil/air to bring oil pressure up enough to turn the light out,

I think it's about a litre of oil to bring the level up from low to full

[Dazzler]

But half a litre should have stopped the light coming on 

[Ugly Mongrel]

Hi and welcome Nx.

One thing you haven't mentioned is oil leaks. Is there any evidence of leaking oil under the car or in the engine bay?

From what I understand, you have already put 1/2 litre of oil in. If this doesn't solve your probelm and you need to add more, there is a possibility there may be a leak somewhere. These are normally easy to spot so make sure you get the dealer to check for any evidence of leaks.

BTW, I agree with komatpillar's comments. Light coming on when the car parked n an incline is a giveaway.

[Nx]

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.  I think Komaterpillar is prob right.  Ugly Mongrel I havent seen any evidence of oil on ground in any places I park regular.  I wish I had been able to park it level when I came back from halfords, but unfortunately no available space at the time.  So keeping fingers crossed that if light goes out when I move it to flat in morning I will double check ground for any signs of leakage.  If so, car is staying put and the dealer can come and get it regardless! Else will take it 1/2 mile to work and call them to ask what they are gonna do! 

Positive thought ... I should have been on the A3 tonight when it all kicked off if I hadnt had to go and pick up son who was too lazy to walk!  Lone woman at side of major busy road in the dark and cold is not a place I would like to be!

Thank you again for all advice etc and making me feel extremely welcome, promise to keep you informed of outcome.

Nx

[asathorny]

Welcome aboard NX, I hope it gets all sorted without being expensive...  I look forward to you reporting that it was all sorted and nothing to worry about.  After you've had it checked of course, it is still under warranty isn't it? so the dealership should sort it all out (I hope) 

[Nx]

   6 month warranty but since I only picked the car up last thurs I have consumer rights on my side regardless    Car dealer has 17 yrs of good reputation and sure wont want it ruined through one problem. 

Nite nite peeps ... x

[Phil №❶]

Welcome Nx,

Can you tell us the vehicle's age and kms, 58 reg doesn't mean a lot in Australia. 

[Nx]

Hi 847563 ... hehe can u tell that im getting hooked on here!  58 plate means 2008 registration plate but car was 1st registered early 2009; mileage 65,000 - know quite high but well looked after with every service recorded.

Now I truely have to go to bed, its gone midnight here in UK!      Beauty sleep calling, will be here with update and catch up later. 

Have fun all and look forward to chatting again soon.
Nx

[rustynutz]

Welcome Nx....

[Phil №❶]

Hi 847563 ... hehe can u tell that im getting hooked on here!

I know, same thing happened to me, don't worry about the mileage, there's plenty more left in her yet. 

[eye30]

  6 month warranty

The car will have a 5 year warranty from HY UK.

As yours is a 58 plate you still have at least 1 -1.5 years left.

What state was the oil as if the oil is old/wrong speci I'm wondering whether this may cause a issue.
Take the oil filler cap off and tell us what condition and consistency the oil is on the underside of the cap.

[Doggie 1]

Welcome Nx and I hope the issue is sorted quickly. 

[komaterpillar]

What state was the oil as if the oil is old/wrong speci I'm wondering whether this may cause a issue.

I've seen this happen before in big diesels where towards the end of a service interval or if they are let go a little over, the oil quality begins rapidly declining accompanied by a drop in oil pressure and accelerated oil consumption, wich may explain why the oil level was low in the first place.

But in the case here the symptom ( oil light flickering only when parked on a slope) I wouldn't think oil condition would be the problem more likely a oil level or pickup issue.

The mileage, 65000, would put it at or just past due for a service wich may explain the low oil level, (not sure if I'm right bout the mileage for service as I converted it to kilometers and in k's it would be due, just not sure of the service intervals for our overseas members)

If the oil light comes on it is identifying low pressure.
So there really is either insufficient oil pressure or the oil pressure sensor is defective.
Insufficient oil pressure could be either a bad pump or insufficient oil to cover the pump pickup.
Insufficient oil would be indicated if the oil does not show on the dipstick at all.
If the oil shows (even close to bottom of the dipstick) it will almost certainly be able to produce sufficient oil pressure - hardly a good idea to have it so low though as the oil will "wear" very quickly. 
Very low oil will turn the indicator on when cornering but may look normal otherwise.

So I would say from the description that the oil level is fine but either the pump is crook or the sender is. I pick the sender.

[komaterpillar]

So I would say from the description that the oil level is fine but either the pump is crook or the sender is. I pick the sender.

If its a pump or sender why is the problem only happening when parked on a slope and fine when parked on level ground?

65 000 miles, I doubt very much it's a pump

[Phil №❶]

Start with replacement of the oil and oil filter with proper specification oil, then see if it still indicates, if so then further investigation will be required. 

If its a pump or sender why is the problem only happening when parked on a slope and fine when parked on level ground?

Could be a poor electrical connection to the sender.

[Ugly Mongrel]

I have to agree with komatapillar again. The fact it only happens when on an incline eliminates the pump, a dodgy connect and probably the sensor itself. But may be a sensor.

It's interesting to speculate, I hope we find out.

[Nx]

Just a quickie update.  Took car off incline ... no oil light after initial start up and parked level ground.  checked oil again ... full!  Drove 1/2 mile to work ... no light!!!  Oil check and under car after 4 hrs ... full/nothing on ground.  Took for run up very steep hill, parked then back down hill, parked ... NO OIL WARNING LIGHT!  back to level, checked oil levels again few hrs later... all good.  So have to assume that the slope and low oil was the issue but regardless speaking to garage about selling car without checks they said done and want a full check over to confirm this was the issue.  Let you know outcome.
Nx

[Phil №❶]

That sounds more like it, hope it's resolved. 

[komaterpillar]

If its a pump or sender why is the problem only happening when parked on a slope and fine when parked on level ground?

Could be a poor electrical connection to the sender.

just had a look at our 2.0 litre petrol, i unplugged the wire going to the oil pressure sender then turned the ignition on - no light illuminated on the dash, then started the car - still no light illuminated on the dash, there is only one wire going to the sender this tells me that the pressure sender is an earth switch, creating an open circuit when it sees oil pressure and a closed circuit when no oil pressure, so there fore if it was a poor electrical connection the light would be more likely to not come on at all because the circuit would not be completed, the only way for dodgy wiring to illuminate the oil pressure light is for either the sender to be internally shorting to earth or the sender wire rubbed through somewhere and creating a short to earth.