Doing it again. About 24 hours it was fine. Now, at start-up when it's cold, it's fine. I drove about 10 miles, parked for about 20 minutes, start up and there's that goddamn light. Have to restart twice to get light out. Go home, shut off, restart, light's on. And the tapping in the top end. A-goddamn-gain. I rev it a little and the light goes out and tapping quiets until the revs fall back to idle. Then it taps and the MF'ing light is back on. I want either this car gone or this problem gone. I'm looking at another car tomorrow so hopefully the former. Any ideas on what this could be? Failing oil pump?
Edit: there's less than 70k miles on it. No car should have these problems with less than 70k on it.

 

Could be a bad oil press transducer.

 

If the top end is tapping when the light is on, I'd think that your oil pressure
is actually low and it's not just the pressure sensor.
Providing the oil filter and its insert are properly installed, sounds like you
need to get this checked out. If you can confirm that oil pressure's
actually low at idle...

Could be oil pump, worn bearings can do this, but that's unlikely at 70K,
also check that the little valve in the oil filter housing hasn't popped out.

 

Additional notes: Sometimes it taps, sometimes it doesn't. Revving the motor even 300-400 RPM makes the light go out and tapping quiet (or quieter, sometimes). A few revs will eventually make the light go out and stay out and the tapping stop.

 

Alright, any explanations on this: I went out, removed the filter, spun it around, looked at it and reinstalled it. The light does not come on and there is no noise from the top end.

 

I hate oil pressure low lights. My opinion is that ALL cars should have a oil pressure & a water temp gage installed at the vary least. I also like to have an ammeter also. You just cant do any trouble shooting with a low oil pressure light. Shame on you BMW!

 

...but thank goodness for the Chrono Package!

 

Bentley manual says low pressure at idle may be a worn relief valve in the oil pump. How common is this?

 

Wait, now I'm almost 100% positive I found it. I remember how tightly the old filter fit in the housing compared to either of the new ones. I never swapped over the old cage inside the filter canister. Does the MINI Mania one come with it?

 

Alright, if I can get an answer here, I'll be grateful. The light only comes on when the motor is warm. Will I be alright going to work as long as the light isn't on or doesn't come on for a few days, long enough for me to recieve my new housing? I can move the filter around and buy a day or so at a time as this seems to cause it to stay out. I may even be able to get the new housing tomorrow if my boss is cool with sending our parts driver to get one as long as Otto's in West Chester has one.

 

Yes it is because that cage is missing from your filter. If it was me I'd park the car until you get the correct missing part & install it. When the oil light is on you are damaging your engine. That tapping is not a good noise.

I'd guess that part is a dealer item & does not come with the filter.

Good luck.

 

I can make it to work and home without the light or noise occuring so I'm okay for the few days until it shows up. It only happens if the car is shut off and restarted when warm. If it's cold and started up, nothing. Cold when started in morning, cold when leaving work after 9 hours. Made it there and back with no issues. I ordered one from MINI Mania. It covers both R50 and R53's so I'm assuming it comes with the JustACooper specific cage. Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

It's your car so what you do is up to you. Like I've already said, if it was mine I'd park it.

From what I understand the cage does not come with the filter. The old one must be reused. If it does come with it let us know.

Good luck to you.

 

I know the cage doesn't come with the filter, it should come with the housing which is what I ordered. My mistake, I didn't specify. I ordered it last night and they have to get it from BMW. I told the salesman I need it ASAP. He said he'll ship it the day they recieve it so hopefully I'll have it by the end of the week. And believe me, my eyes and ears are on high alert for any noise or lights.

 

You are a braver man than I am. I'd be walking in my black Pumas.

 

W00t! Problem fixed! Thanks to Crash, Juiceman, PGT and everyone else that gave me your much appreciated words of advice.

 

What is this 'cage' you're talking about? It's been a while since I changed the oil on my MCS, but I don't remember anything other than the oil filter, o-ring, and the oil filter housing cap...

 

Good news about your oil pressure being back to normal.

Darren, your MCS doesn't have one of those cages in its filter.

 

The JustACooper has a small plastic cage maybe the diameter of a quarter that is spring loaded and holds the filter in place. The R53 isn't equipped with it.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...98&hg=11&fg=30

 

Hmm. Well at any rate, I'm glad you have the problem fixed.

I wonder why they would use the cage on the MC, but not the MCS?