Oil pump???

[tobz.]

I think I know the answer to this one but wanted to check!

Driving along the M11 on saturday in the gf's 1.6 driver when the oil light started flashing, pulled off at the next exit and it sounded like an old fiesta with the tappets clattering away.
The oil pump's sh@gged right???
After being left for some hours at lakeside the light stopped flashing and the noise had gone (no permanent damage then) but after about 20miles on the way home it all started again. Yesterday I used some engine flush then changed the oil and filter, we went for a drive and it all seemed ok, yay!!! Until I told her to rag it for a bit this time we got the light and the buzzer of doom.

Sounds like a new oil pump needed???
Difficult or easy job???

Typical as we bought her new car yesterday so now the driver is for sale and I don't know whether to fix it or sell as is.

[rubjonny]

try another high pressure warning switch, its the white one on the oil filter housing.

[tobz.]

That was my first suspect jonny until I heard the rattling tappets, hearing that I would say it is accurately reporting low oil pressure.

[Agreeable Slick]

It's very rare that an oil pump will fail... 

Did you take the sump off and inspect the return pipes? They are usually the first subject of fault, as they just get bunged up. It would also explain the running fine then going off again as all the stuff is recirculated from the bottom of the sump.

[tobz.]

Hmmm good point slick, what do you mean by return pipes though???

[Agreeable Slick]

had a quick check through etka and this is the best pic i could find.

[tobz.]

Ah right nice one, I'm not too familiar with the pump but isn't the highlighted part the pickup tube??? I've heard the mesh on them can become blocked which could restrict the flow of oil into the pump causing low pressure.

Would definately like to get this one sorted otherwise I'll have to sell the car as requiring attention which will seriously affect the asking price.

[rubjonny]

other thing I'd check is the oil filter.  Is it a decent german quality one?  The cheaper ones don't have a bypass valve for when the filter gets blocked up

[Agreeable Slick]

aye pick up/return it's the same thing.

The mesh on them is the main concern as like above they get crapped up very easily. If it keeps doing it as you pointed out then don't drive the motor, as constant starvation of oil to the head will only cause problems and be very costly.

[tobz.]

Aye jonny genuine vag wouldn't use anything else

Cheers Slick I reckon for the cost of a sump gasket it's gotta be worth a look. The missus is only driving a couple of miles to work and back at the minute and if you drive it like miss daisy the problem doesn't occur.
Picking up her new motor on thursday so after that it wont be used anymore.