Hey Guys,

For some reason, the red engine oil light comes on whenever my car comes to a stop. I noticed that when I begin to slow down, the light comes down around 5mph and lower. And the minute I give it gas the light goes away. Someone told me it might be the idle oil. Anyone have any ideas? I just put in more oil (to the proper level) this morning too...

 

Idle oil???? Isn't that Popeye's girlfriend?

 

If your level is correct and it is changed regularly, pretty much has to be sensor.

 

The light means the oil PRESSURE is low. Which can be caused by low level too, but thats not the only reason. If the oil pump is going that'd do it too, or a defective oil pressure sending unit as mentioned above. I'd suggest getting it checked ASAP in case it's real. Oil pressure is normally at it's lowest at idle and rises with rpm. So when you step on it the pressure goes up and the light goes out.

If the pressure is low and you drive it that way for a while, and if that is logged in the cars computer you could put yourself in danger warrenty wise. Not to mention more wear potentially on the engine if it's truly oil starved at idle.

 

How much oil did it take to get it to the proper level?

 

The reason the light comes on is low oil pressure.
Now that you've added oil (how low was it), the next step would be to change the filter in case it is clogged - has it been changed recently?

If the issue continues, you might need a new oil pump ($$)
Low oil pressure is a BIG DEAL - you don't want to be driving around like that. Check the oil again, swap the filter, and if necessary, get thee to a mechanic.

 

it wasn't super low, the guy said that it was about 1/3. He filled it up to the proper level. but the light still comes on. he just filled the oil this morning at like 11 AM and the light came back on around 2:00... if it is a oil problem, would a oil change fix the problem?

i never worked on cars before, but how much would it be to get the filter checked and replaced? I think u can go this at a valvoline oil change?

if it really is the oil pump, or senor, how much do those parts + labor usually go around for? ><

 

The MINI uses a filter element in an aluminum canister - I would NOT recommend a 'jiffy lube' type place to replace it. If you're in warranty, go to the dealer. If you're out of warranty, try to find a local independent BMW shop (unless you're ok paying dealer tech rates.)

 

i think i know what canister filter your talking about, it's like a yellow foam looking thing. I've seen it at several websites. is it hard to replace your self? any how-to's and places to order one from?

 

difficult: no
messy: yes

I did a writeup for it.

http://www.geekshocker.com/Claire/maint/oilChange.php

let me know if you have any questions on it.

 

Good write-up. I'd like to add that you can eliminate the mess if you only unscrew the canister enough to break the suction. You will know when this happens by listening for it or watching for extra oil to start flowing out the oil drain. Let it sit like this for a minute or two and then finish unscrewing it. This dramatically reduces the spillage. Also, the canister is very easy to cross-thread when putting it back on. Take your time when re-installing.

 

Hey if this guy has never worked on cars before I would say that changing the filter on the Mini is NOT the way to break into DIY maintenance.
Do yourself a favor and take it in to the dealer or independant and see what they say. It really can't be too many things, but it is the blood of the motor, and you can't be too careful. It could be a sensor, or it could be as serious as a oil sump that is clogged and not pumping. (doubtful, but hey...)
If it's simple I'm betting you'll get away with a $200 bill.

 

hmm, so I'm assuming, an oil change won't fix the problem. I wanted to get a oil change anyways.

I hear having the dealership to change the filter is around 75$.

I technically had this car for less than a week, because I was hit by a reckless driver on the second day I picked up the car. And this problem happened BEFORE the hit, and the place I bought it from supposedly fixed it. Maybe I should take it back to them again?

Also on my way back from work, I noticed what mmatarella said was true. When my car is stopped the light is turned on, so I pulled the e-brake and revved the RPM up. and the light turns off after it gets passed 2K RPM. Note: A guy helped me check my oil level and added more oil into the engine earlier today. So what could be the problem?

 

Absolutely take it back to them. Tell them the problem has returned and you would like them to fix it. BTW was it a Mini Dealer? Also if you have less than 4 years/50,000 miles just take it to a Mini dealer and let them fix it under warranty.

 

It's not a mini dealer, it's a used car dealer. Also it's not under warranty, the mileage is at 50,548 ><

 

It's definitely got an issue.
I'd recommend you find a local mechanic to look at it just so you have an independent assessment of the issue. If it was a used car dealer, they could have been hacks and installed the wrong filter, wrong oil, any number of items.

Try the Mass Motoring Club forum, there must be a few folks from Bahston there who can hook you up.

 

But in any case I wouldn't continue to run it while pondering it. If it is the oil pump going, it might just let go the rest of the way and if it happens while you're at cruising speed, you could be buying a engine. You don't ignore a oil pressure warning light, not even for a minute.

That's about the most important warning a car can throw at you and depending on the cause, if you delay can have the most dire consequences.

If you have a friendly mechanic they can put a gauge on it to check the oil pressure. If you're not close to a MINI shop and you have AAA I'd get it flatbedded. I wouldn't roll the dice on a low oil pressure warning on a car with no warrenty!!!

Good luck and let us know how you make out! Oh, and my dealer even messed up the filter change once. The gasket is apparently tricky. Normally it's a simple job but evidently the MINI catridge can be a pain. Haven't done mine myself yet 'cause I'm still covered by free maint.

Don't you have even a 30 day warrenty or something on it used? I ask because I wonder, it's JUST out of MINI warrenty, sold used... I wonder if there's a lingering problem that caused it to be just when the factory warrenty ended?

 

Yeah, there is a 30 day factory warranty on the engine, transmission...etc. but because I got into an accident 2 days after I picked up the car (11/21), and just got the car back today (12/20), I don't know if the 30 days warranty will still apply. But either way, I'm going to call them and let them know.

Oh I also like to note that when I start the car, the light doesn't come on right away...

All the major repair talks is scaring me >< Man I didn't even have the car for that long, and it's nothing but problem after problem...

 

When the oil is cold the pressure is higher because the viscosity of the oil is higher. As it warms up the oil gets 'thinner'. When I start my MINI and the engine and oil are cold, I run about 65 psi of oil pressure at idle. Once it warms up its down around 15-20 psi at idle. ( I have the oil temp and oil pressure gauge so you can watch it easily)

So you see that is to be expected to see no light until it warms up and then as the oil warms and thins you get past the threshold for the warning light to come on. I.E. if your oil pump is bad you might be getting say 20 psi when the oil is cold at idle and then dropping to nil at idle once the oil is warm. Get thee to a mechanic friend!

Bottom line you are flirting with disaster every time you run that car. Sorry, but don't want to see you having to shell out $6K for a motor next.

 

I called the place that I bought the car from. They think it might be a faulty sensor. They scheduled me for next monday. Wish me luck

 

Imd -

Good luck to you; hope it's a successful Xmas Eve fix. And thanks to all of the NAM greybeards for the good gouge and helpful suggestions.

As for me, my Red Oil Light has never come on. Probably because the synth oil I use is sort of a golden-brown color. If I ever find some of that red oil, I'll see what happens. (Come to think of it, I'd better check the manual so I can figure out where in the heck the Brown Oil Light is...)

 

Oh good point. I didn't realize he was talking about the red oil light. That changes my diagnosis completely... but it's late and I don't have time to type it....

j/k for the sarcastically and humor impaired....

 

Any update?

 

brought it in to the dealer on the 24th. they checked it in like less than 5 minutes, and said it was the filter? they ordered the part and should be taken care of tomorrow.

i'm thinking it's a gasket... but we'll see what happens... wish me luck

 

I was going to guess filter but I thought that was a non-S specific problem.

http://www.promini.com/technical/tec...oil_filter.php