Hello--- i have a 2011 convertible MINI that I love so very much. This is my 2nd MINI convertible and I am having a problem that I hope you all can help me with. About 2 weeks ago I ran over a peice of tire from an 18 wheeler (it was run over the tire or hit another car)... Anyhoo, right after it happened, my oil pressure light came on and went back off. Since then, when I make a sharp right turn (and once when I had to hit my breaks and stop quickly), the low oil pressure light comes on, makes a "gong" sound, and goes back off. HELP!!!!!!! The closest MINI dealer to me is 2.5 hours away. My hubby has checked the oil level and it is fine. Do any of you all have any ideas? Do you think it could be the sensor? The oil pump? Thanks in advance for any help you all can give!

 

I'd tell you to drive that 2.5 hours & have it checked by the dealer. Every time that light comes on you are doing damage to your engine. It is just a little bit at a time, but it will add up. My guess is your oil pan is bashed in. Have the dealer check it & have your insurance company pay for the repair.

Good luck & let us know what you find out.

 

We did jack it up and check the oil pan and it is fine. No leaks, no damage...

 

You really have to error on the safe side and believe that the light is correct. Bring the car in to the dealer or an independent shop and have them look it.

FYI. Any damage may be covered under your insurance policy. I think this could qualify as compressive so the deductible is usually much lower than collision.


EDIT: From your description is does NOT sound like the light is coming on randomly. It sounds like it is coming on when the oil "sloshing" around. The dipstick is hard to read. You really could be low on oil or something could be damaged. You could always get the oil changed, then you definitely would know your oil level is good.

 

Sounds like low oil. I read that your husband checked it, but these cars sometimes go through a quart of oil in 1000K. Check it again to be double sure?

 

Yes, we are going to call the dealer in the morning. He said the dipstick is hard to read and that it "sucks". He wanted to know if the dipstick could be replaced in my MINI. LOL.

 

Dipstick can be replaced with a Craven one that I've heard great things about. Believe they run about 75 bux + shipping. I would try and take it to a independent shop that you trust before going to the dealer. Saves 5 hrs of driving for ya. Wouldnt go to the dealer unless you absolutely have to.

 

If you have the craven or OEM, you should pull the dipstick, wipe it, put it back in and seat it fully, pull it out, put it on a paper towel and read the oil marks off the paper towel.

Someone's suggestion of draining the oil and putting new oil in (i.e. - oil change) is a GREAT idea and will allow to measure how many quarts are currently in your engine. It should be 4.5 but I usually pull out 3.5+ to 4 quarts from my engine as I try to keep it at 4 quarts instead of 4.5 (I find it burns oil MUCH less when oil is at the 1/2 mark on the dipstick rather than the full mark) and I don't top off the last 1000K before my oil change as I'll be adding fresh oil soon. I always ensure my oil is at least to the quarter mark on the dipstick but I try to keep it at the 1/2 mark.

Bottom line, know your car and these N14 and N18 engines are VERY individual in how much oil they drink. I noticed a DRAMATIC reduction in oil consumption when I started monitoring my boost and keeping it in vacuum only the last five minutes, or idling for 2-3 minutes after hard driving based on info about oil leaking through the turbo into the catalytic converter when too got after shutdown. But I really don't know the why here.