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[Impact Pete]

This happens very occassionally the red main oil warning light flickers sometimes when you stop at a junction etc. a quick slight flick of the accellerator clears it.
With normal driving it never comes on and the oil low level warning on the dash computer normally gives plenty of warning when the level drops just below half, checked anyway and it is just below full.

Is this something to worry about/early signs of a part failing etc. ?

[Boditza]

when was your last oil change?? apart from that the users manual sais it is normal to do so, but i never get it

[Impact Pete]

when was your last oil change?? apart from that the users manual sais it is normal to do so, but i never get it

Why do you ask? was done last May 2010 only done 3000 miles since

[Entwood]

I would be concerned but not worried at the moment.

The V6 is extremely sensitive to oil pressure problems, and you have, IMHO, a couple of possibilities.

1 - Weak oil pressure warning switch - it is possible to get a plug in adaptor so you can read the true pressure from the oil pressure sender, or try a new pressure switch.

2 - Actual low oil pressure at low rpm

a)  partially blocked oil pick up in the sump - need to drop the sump and check/clean

b) worn oil pump - not sure how easy this is to check/change

c) partialy blocked oilways leading to the pressure switch - several quick oil changes may sort this (and a) )

d) badly worn bearings allowing high oil flow so dropping pressure - oil pressure gauge might assist here.

Given that, my approach would be a few quick oil/filter changes .. at 500 mile intervals, then see if I could borrow a pressure gauge adaptor to try and read the true pressure.

If it gets worse and the light is on more regularly, or it sits at idle for extended periods a LOT of damage could occur ..

Just my random thoughts ... nowt else ..

[Impact Pete]

I would be concerned but not worried at the moment.

The V6 is extremely sensitive to oil pressure problems, and you have, IMHO, a couple of possibilities.

1 - Weak oil pressure warning switch - it is possible to get a plug in adaptor so you can read the true pressure from the oil pressure sender, or try a new pressure switch.

2 - Actual low oil pressure at low rpm

a)  partially blocked oil pick up in the sump - need to drop the sump and check/clean

b) worn oil pump - not sure how easy this is to check/change

c) partialy blocked oilways leading to the pressure switch - several quick oil changes may sort this (and a) )

d) badly worn bearings allowing high oil flow so dropping pressure - oil pressure gauge migt assist here.

Given that my approach would be a few quick oil/filter changes .. at 500 mile intervals, then se if I could borrow a pressure gauge adaptor to try and read the true pressure.

If it gets worse and the light is on more regularly, or it sits at idle for extended periods a LOT of damage could occur ..

Just my random thoughts ... nowt else ..

Darthlooknee did say to me they like regular oil changes and suggested every 3000 miles, which It's time to do.

[Elite Pete]

When you change the oil, once you've dropped the oil, whip the sump off and clean the oil pick up out. Its easy enough to do 

[Boditza]

when was your last oil change?? apart from that the users manual sais it is normal to do so, but i never get it

Why do you ask? was done last May 2010 only done 3000 miles since

oil needs to be changed every 12 months... or at the propper mileage, but at 3000 miles its not suposed to be worn.. do you use 10w40 or 10w30?? in any case you should drop the sump, clean the insides of it and then change 2-3 times the oil at 500miles

[Andy B]

find my posts re my other half's Smart sump pan, that suffered from a flickering oil pressure light until I cleared a ton of shitty silicon sealant from the sump.

[feeutfo]

If tick over is normal, at about 5-600 rpm and not on the verge of stalling then as said, check oil pick up in sump. If still playing up check oil pressure output is within spec. Usually listed in Haynes.

[Impact Pete]

find my posts re my other half's Smart sump pan, that suffered from a flickering oil pressure light until I cleared a ton of shitty silicon sealant from the sump.

I reckon this could be the winner.
When Darthlooknee changed the cam cover seals, we found the guy before had used what looked like bathroom sealant!, we got most of it out but who knows what lies beneath, need to find some time to drop the sump. My drive is on a slant and if I do it at work I'm stck there till it's sorted, but with all the other jobs that really need doing like the 2/3 solenoid which I've been told can only be done once the sump is off.

[Impact Pete]

If tick over is normal, at about 5-600 rpm and not on the verge of stalling then as said, check oil pick up in sump. If still playing up check oil pressure output is within spec. Usually listed in Haynes.

No never come close to stalling tis very happy at it's level, and it really only happens at rare intervals.

[Kevin Wood]

Certainly check the pickup pipe if someone has been over-zealous with the RTV.   

If that doesn't fix it, another possibility, in addition to those mentioned, is that the pressure relief valve has stuck (probably a bit of bathroom sealant in it).

Kevin

[Impact Pete]

Certainly check the pickup pipe if someone has been over-zealous with the RTV.   

If that doesn't fix it, another possibility, in addition to those mentioned, is that the pressure relief valve has stuck (probably a bit of bathroom sealant in it).

Kevin

Will do thanks, it's times like this I wish I had a garage!

By the way Kevin did you ever hear back from vauxhall world parts about this members discount?

[Kevin Wood]

Certainly check the pickup pipe if someone has been over-zealous with the RTV.   

If that doesn't fix it, another possibility, in addition to those mentioned, is that the pressure relief valve has stuck (probably a bit of bathroom sealant in it).

Kevin

Will do thanks, it's times like this I wish I had a garage!

By the way Kevin did you ever hear back from vauxhall world parts about this members discount?

Nope. Not responsive to emails. I will need to order a few parts soon so I'll give them a call (since I fell out with their online shop last time ) and see what they say.

kevin

[Impact Pete]

Certainly check the pickup pipe if someone has been over-zealous with the RTV.   

If that doesn't fix it, another possibility, in addition to those mentioned, is that the pressure relief valve has stuck (probably a bit of bathroom sealant in it).

Kevin

Will do thanks, it's times like this I wish I had a garage!

By the way Kevin did you ever hear back from vauxhall world parts about this members discount?

Nope. Not responsive to emails. I will need to order a few parts soon so I'll give them a call (since I fell out with their online shop last time ) and see what they say.

kevin

I found that it was easier to phone as they listed the coil packs wrongly and after a chat they agreed!