VNS1, harsh noise, oil light

[wez]

My oil light came on.
The engine was making a noise, kind of harssh, with some tappet noise.
I put more oil in without checking level first.
I checked the oil and found that it had been (probably alread) too full.
I drained some oil, getting the reading back to normal on the dipstick.
Test drive - noise almost as bad. Oil light still on.
Changed oil filter.
Test drive - same.
Any suggestions please bring 'em on; I need to drive to work tomorrow.
It drove fine last night.
Would too much auto fluid cause noise? It is also reading over.

[greenfoam]

You can't drive it untill you find out why it's got no oil pressure. Got no clue why it doesn't but don't drive it

[wez]

Thanks, Greenfoam, - you mean not even around the block eh?
Excuse my ignorance- the oil light ONLY means ENGINE oil prob? Or includes gearbox oil?
Could the pressure sensor itelf be the prob.?

[Morton]

Engine oil light means the oil pump isn't supplying enough oil to the motor. If the light comes on, and the car sounds fine, chances are the switch is broken. Replace.

In your case, when the light comes on AND the car sounds like it's eating typewriters falling down a stairs, you need to stop immediately I think you could have a blocked oil pickup - meaning that although the sump is full, the pump can't drag any oil up to squirt into the motor. You need to drop the sump and have a look at the pickup

[greenfoam]

I dont think it's likely to be the pickup. I've never heard about or seen a V6 with any oil sludge plus I think they have a large pickup, they also just aren't that kind of engine (they stay clean) So I'm thinking the pump must be broken, or something worse

[rob drag racer]

Engine oil light means the oil pump isn't supplying enough oil to the motor. If the light comes on, and the car sounds fine, chances are the switch is broken. Replace.

In your case, when the light comes on AND the car sounds like it's eating typewriters falling down a stairs, you need to stop immediately I think you could have a blocked oil pickup - meaning that although the sump is full, the pump can't drag any oil up to squirt into the motor. You need to drop the sump and have a look at the pickup

bingo mort ive had 2 engines do that to me now both from wreckers lesson learned from this take the sump off befor putting it in the car and clean the sump and pickup lol

good luck wez its a pain of a job but well worth the hassle seeing its getting harder and harder to get a good second hand engine now

[Morton]

I dont think it's likely to be the pickup. I've never heard about or seen a V6 with any oil sludge plus I think they have a large pickup, they also just aren't that kind of engine (they stay clean) So I'm thinking the pump must be broken, or something worse

Nah, I've seen a buick and an ecotec with blocked pickups. You'll be surprised how badly people look after them

[delcowizzid]

yeah when the metal bulb part gets full of stuff it doesnt leave much area for oil to go to clean them right out you need to cut one side of the dome out of the pickup to clean them out they fill right up with crud

[HARVZ-6]

harsh noise + oil light + driving = f**ked motor to be honest

[wez]

So under the car I go! I'm hoping to see a blocked pickup, given the alternatives.
How much oil will I need?

[wez]

Hmmm... taking off the sump is ridiculously difficult; you might as well take the engine out. All the designers had to do was to make the tin sump at the front removeable with bolts, but no - it's molded on to the alloy sump and you have to take off the steering rack etc.
BUT: I took out the oil light sender, poured about 200 ml of oil down there and turned the motor over. The oil went DOWN into the hole rather than squirting back out. So it's probably the oil pump, so I'm taking that out - quite difficult enough.

[Zuicider]

i had that happened quick a few times, actually everytime, the clacking noise is the big ends failing . its the only thing that was wrong to cause the engine to do it, that and a conrod out the side of the block