Intermittent oil light
 

Hi everyone,

I have a small niggle with my Cooper S with the N18 engine and am looking for some advice please.

Ive checked the oil level and all is well but when I come to a stop I get the bleep and the oil light comes on. It goes off again straight away. It doesnt come on during normal driving. Only when stopping.

Normally I would think this was related to the oil level but as Im paranoid about it and check all the time the level is at the top of the indicator on the dipstick.

Can anybody offer any advice/suggestions as to what may he causing this please?

I have bought a new oil pressure sensor in case thats on its last legs and will be doing an oil and filter change this weekend and will fit the sensor at the same time

If the new sensor doesn't resolve the issue, you might want to check oil pressure with a mechanical gage to verify before spending more money.

Based on your description it makes sense that a low oil pressure warning would present itself first at idle (specifically once warmed up) since that is when the pressure will always be the lowest. I would be concerned to keep driving it until this is addressed. I am fairly certain that the N14 cars only have a switch that indicates high/low values. If the N18 is the same way you will only be able to get an actual pressure reading with a proper sending unit and a gauge. As for what is causing a low pressure at idle (assuming this is really happening) it can be a multitude of things like a failing pump, bearings, or …..

Good luck

Hi jarero,

I dont get the light at idle. Only through the momentum of actually coming to a stop if that makes sense?

I can start the car up and leave it idling all day and wouldnt get the oil light come on. It just seems to be when everything leans forward when braking and stopping but oil levels are fine

My advice:
Open up the Valve Cover and check your upper timing chain and down in the crevice.
You might have a small piece broken off and blocking up your Oil pickup.

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to drop that Oil Pan and check for pieces of plastic or metal.
Either you have something blocking up your pump. Or your pump may be going bad.
But it sounds more like something is in that pan to me.

If there is plastic or metal then your in for a full Timing Chain job.

Thanks for the advice guys. A few things to look into.

Shawn, I did wonder if it might be chain related having scoured through loads of info on the forum. I had a bit of a rattle at certain revs the other day which I havent had before. Did wonder if it might be the tensioner. Went away quickly as soon as the tickover settled but had me worried. Having not had the car long Im paranoid about any new noises.

Will take things apart and investigate over the weekend.

Heres hoping an oil and filter change along with a replacement pressure sensor will be the answer but if not I might get the dealer to do chain and other bits anyway as a precaution

Chris,

What you just described with the rattle and the red oil light only happening coming to a stop.
Sounds like it's jumping time now.

Whats happening is, when your coming to a stop whatever is in the pan is getting stuck between the chain and the oil pump chain slowing it up.
Hence knocking it out of time.

I just did this job with all the same symptoms.
In my case it also overheated and took out the Headgasket. By the way if you ever have to change the Headgasket get the Ajusa.
The OEM is metal with rubber silicon between the jackets. The Ajusa is all metal!
It wont ever pop again! lol

Thanks for the quick reply Shawn.

So am I understanding rightly that its a new chain or is it possibly just the tensioner? Is it best to do both anyway just in case?

Forgive the questions, Im still learning about Mini's. Love the car but it seems they have their problems. Ive already had the hpfp replaced under warranty.

Chris,

It will need the Full Timing Chain and Tensioner, new bolts and everything.
You don't want to take any chances with any of those parts.

First I would open up that Valve Cover and drop the Oil Pan just to confirm.
But, I'm pretty sure it's what your issue is.

Thanks again Shawn,

I have a mechanic friend who will have to do that for me as Im not competent enough to check myself. Lol

Just spoken to my local mini dealer who is going to get back to me with a quote for full timing chain replacement and assiciated parts just in case.

Shawn, my car has also developed an oil leak from somewhere. Its not losing much but rather seems to force a bit out somewhere under heavy load. I first noticed it because of a little bit of oil smoking when i pulled up at some lights and saw some smoke coming from under the scoop. Definitely oil burning on the hot engine. Ive been checking the oil level almost daily and it isnt really losing anything significant.

Could this be somehow related to the chain issue or am I clutching at straws and have another problem completely?

Sorry for all the questions

Get an estimate from an independent MINI repair shop as well as the MINI dealer. Dealers are expensive.

Youre right Dave but I have a warranty so Im not bothered about the cost as long the work is done correctly. Plus I dont have any independent Mini specialists near me unfortunately

Maybe you do.

https://www.minirepairshops.com/

Chris,

It all could be related. Not having your car here I can't say for sure.
It may be seeping out at the Crankshaft seal cause of plastic down where the Pump chain and Timing Chain meet.

I was leaking coolant and oil. But I also blew a Headgasket.
I would have them check everything while your at it. Especially if it is under warranty.
I ended up doing all of this myself.

If your under full warranty make them do it all! lol

Thanks Dave but Im in England. That seems to be for American locations only?

Thanks again Shawn. Im going to give the garage a call tomorrow and get it booked in. I wont be using my local stealership as I got the quote and they want £2331.05 to do the job. Shocking. I can get the timing kit for £85 online. Just dont fancy doing it myself

Damn Chris....

That's worse then over here.
And there built there in Swindon!

You defiantly need it diagnosed first though.
Cause not sure it is the Timing Chain or not. Just sounds like it.

Tell me about it Shawn. I think its like £150 and hour labour.

I would like to get the chain done anyway for peace of mind if Im honest and it makes sense to do it while it has warranty. Independents will do the job for around £600 Im advised. Biiig difference in price

Ps, the oil lights hasnt been coming on today and I havent heard any rattles for a few days.

I read a thread on mini2 where somebody had the same issue and a new filter, sensor and oil sorted the issue so who knows

Be sure and let us know what it was ,Chris :)
I hope it's that simple of a fix. But knowing these cars first hand, I doubt it.

Well its been a while and thanks for all the advice. Ive finally had an outcome. The warranty company agreed to pay out and i got a full timing chain job done with all associated parts.

There was very light traces of metal in the oil and also i think the mechanic said the tensioner was broken. He also replaced the crack pulley.

No more oil light and everything running nicely

Just to add, the top guide was shot too. Also slight damage to some of the chain links. Got it sorted just in time it seems

I'm new here and getting the same problem (oil pressure light comes on while at operating temperature and at a stop with an 08 Clubman). So far I've replaced the oil pump, oil pump drive gears and chain andoil filter housing with new gaskets, and my light is still coming on. I'm at a loss on what to check for next, so any direction would be appreciated. Thanks
Ben

Have you tried changing the oil pressure switch/sensor? Might not be it but its a fairly cheap part to replace to find out

The cause of my oil light was bits of metal from the tensioner that had gotten into the oil pan. When removed the tensioner broke in two