Pls Help, STT's (Shade Tree Technicians): Saturday I change the oil in my '05 MCS. This my 2nd DIY oil change, it was uneventful, as I hadn't misplaced any tools since the last time I did it . I do love the way the new oil looks, so nice on the (crummy) dipstick, but something has been happening since the change, that's making me paranoid ...

When starting the engine, the oil light stays on, after the other lights have gone out. I turn off the engine, pop the bonnet, check the stick, and it's full and all is apparently fine. Start the engine again (the oil light goes out as normal on the 2nd time), back out a few feet, check under the car, no leakage, not a single dop...

I have no clue, but it's getting to be a bother stopping and popping and checking (and of course it's still full of beautiful new 5W30), every single time. Is my oil pump going going gone? What do you think?

Grateful for any/all help,
Tatt

 

When changing the oil and filter, you also essentially drain the oil from the oil pickup, filter housing and oil galleries as well. After replacing everything and starting the engine, it will sometimes take 10 seconds or more for the oil to fill into all these vacant areas before building up pressure and turning off the indicator. This is normal and mostly unavoidable, and will not cause any harm. However, if the light remains on after the engine has run for more than about 15 seconds and does not turn off after restarting, you might have some unknown issue. If I read your post correctly, when you started the engine a second time, the oil lamp went off as it should and stayed off, right? In this case, everything is normal.

There is always going to be a delay in oil pressure building after changing the oil in just about any engine.

 

Hi Greatbear, and thank you. Yes, the 2nd start (or in some cases 10-15 seconds after the first start), the lamp goes out and stays out. I read you loud and clear about the reasons why the lingering light. The cause for concern was that this didn't happen at all, not even a little, after any of the 4 prior oil changes.

Thanks again,
Tatt

 

Had the same issue, replaced the Oil Pressure sensor...problem fixed....

 

When I change the oil in my MINI, on average the light takes maybe 5-10 seconds to go out. Since I drain the oil with the engine warm in order to have it flow out fastest with any nastiness churned up and suspended, I let it drain for an extended period. This is also done to allow the canister to drain fully when partially loosened, that way I dont spill a single drop of oil and the old element is just about as drained off as possible. The extended period of the car sitting draining of oil will make it take longer to fully repressurize. Since modern oils do a good job of clinging to surfaces while the engine is shut off (even when drained), there is no risk of damage during the time period it takes for the pressure to come back. That is, as long as you dont floor the throttle immediately after the engine starts and the light is still on.

Chances are that your engine drained a little bit more than usual during this oil change than the previous ones. It also might have been from the engine returning to a slow idle sooner after starting. The slower the engine runs, the longer it takes for the pressure to come up.