Author Topic: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump  (Read 4588 times)

Offline drokkeh

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Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« on: 31 March 2024, 17:16 »
Started my 2011 mk6 gti yesterday.  Got an immediate dash warning of ‘low oil pressure: check manual’

Immediately turned off the engine and checked oil level.  There was barely a spot of oil on the dipstick.


Ordered 1 litre of Shell Helix 5w 40 oil and put it in today.  Dipstick showed just about minimum.  Started engine and no oil pressure warning now but after about 1 minute of idling im hearing a rattling noise from engine.  Turned engine off and could see pool of oil under car and oil dripping from the sump.

Is this likely an oil pump fail?

Offline Tractor Dave

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #1 on: 31 March 2024, 19:04 »
It could be a number of things. You need to get it up on a ramp and inspect underneath.

Offline madstaff

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #2 on: 31 March 2024, 21:22 »
A failed oil pump wouldn't leak oil externally.

My best guess would be the rear main crankshaft oil seal, easy to see as oil will be dripping from the bottom of the gearbox bell housing.
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Offline Tractor Dave

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #3 on: 01 April 2024, 07:38 »
My guess would be damaged sump.

Offline drokkeh

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #4 on: 01 April 2024, 11:14 »
Thanks for the info.  Yeah thinking about it the oil seems to be dripping from further back, not directly under the engine itself.  I will check again later today. 


Offline Snoopy

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #5 on: 01 April 2024, 15:33 »
Rusty sump as its just thin tin.
Get some brake cleaner spray it were all the oil is and see if you can see were its coming from.
Could be another number of things if not the sump.
« Last Edit: 01 April 2024, 15:35 by Snoopy »
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Offline drokkeh

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #6 on: 09 April 2024, 10:39 »
It's in the garage this morning.  Just had a call from them.  Damaged sump, leaking badly.  Getting sump replaced.

Offline Snoopy

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #7 on: 09 April 2024, 19:17 »
Glad you found the source.
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Offline Nino

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Re: Oil pressure warning light and oil leak from sump
« Reply #8 on: 10 April 2024, 09:59 »
It's in the garage this morning.  Just had a call from them.  Damaged sump, leaking badly.  Getting sump replaced.

Least you have it sorted. Hope that won't be too expensive.
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