Red oil pressue warning light flashing when stationary e46

[driftmaster808]

Hi all,

Wondered if you could give me some advice to pass on to mum Last Saturday the red oil warning light started flashing when the car was stionary, as soon as its back in drive it's fine.

The local people to me say don't even start it get a low loader and get it to them. I've lost trust with them because they gave it large about doing th e46 club sport rack conversion on my e30 325i sport and f@@ked the job up, plus less than a 2000 miles ago on the e46 they did oil and filter change, an engine flush and air con service, they claim to have put 4 litres in. Well on top os this there is no hot air for mum, bless she is 76 years old so is catching buses and walking.

I've checked the levels and it's half way between full and empty on the dipstick, I was thinking of putting a litre in and taking to maybe a recommendation from the forum. My question is, I'm a being played, I'm not technical at all but surely if I put a litre in I could drive it to ants (if I can niall him Down) or is the guy being honest and should we get it low loaded to these people who charge £58 per hour which isn't the end of th world if it's a small job.

Any suggestions please money is so tight at the moment. Ideally a mobile BMW specialist is what I'm after who is trusted and come come out to crystal palace, thanks everyone

[AndyG]

so are you saying its on the minimum mark on the dipstick? If so that's your problem, its low on oil and its telling you to top it up.

Should go from amber to red with the red saying put some in. Amber is a warning to say its getting low and this can light up and stay on just after start up or when you're stationary.

What engine is it?

[irish320i]

There correct if the red light is on at idle it means you have extremely low oil pressure if the oil level is reading on the dipstick its not causing this. You should not run the engine till the cause of the low oil pressure is found. It could be a faulty sensor, could be a blocked strainer in the sump or oil filter housing blockage or a more serious issue like oil pump or bearing issue. You will do damage if the car is driven with low oil pressure

[driftmaster808]

Tha his Irish, the oil level on the dipstick is exactly half way between high and low which according to the handbook is ok, so it must have been low at one point befoe the oil and filter change and the amber light never came on. So it has to be Really low for the light to come on so I doubt the oil is low - unless there is an oil leak.

The engine is a straight six 2.2 - there has also been a yellow light on for a while now so going to see what that's about I think that has something to do with the air con - perhaps a loose clip hence no hot air.

Thanks for the advice guys not going take any risks it's getting recovered tomorrow

Cheers

[pony]

Whatever u do don't drive otherwise u will need a new engine
I had exactly the same problem as u on my E46 323Ci Coupe at 125k miles which had FBMWSH. But had some things like New BMW Radiator/Water Pump parts supplied by myself done at a local indie (who specialises in VAG but does lots of makes)


How many miles has yours done ?

[driftmaster808]

Hi Pony,

Although money is tight id rather get the problem sorted before it escalates, it's done about 76000 miles has full BMW history we've had the car for over 3 years and it says there's still another 7000 mikes left we bought it at 68,000.

Thankfully we have home recovery,

Thanks for the warning mate - do u still own a E30

[pony]

Yes I have E30 325i Sport Tech1, E46 323Ci Coupe, E46 M3 CS Coupe

[pony]

I am wondering is this a common problem ?
When I asked at my local Dealer they didn't know much about this problem
But trust me don't drive the car
Am wondering if could be because oil change intervals of 15k miles is too long ????

[driftmaster808]

It's possible mate I've been begging mum to ignore the service interval and get to down to Barry's in red hill but as you know how older people are set in their ways, by the way nice choice of cars, I'm now on the prowl for a zm coupe or a e34 m5 and a cheap run around like a audi a2

[pony]

If u bag yourself a really nice Z3 M Coupe (S54) standard will be worth a few bob (potentially) in years to come and are supposed to be fun cars

I see your into drifting I bought the Sport to learn about car control and improving myself

[driftmaster808]

yup I like cars that don't go down in value, I'm not into finding the next big thing but if a car holds it value thats good enough for me.

ok it turned out to be a sensor in the end, oil pressure was fine, the guy who worked on it is a ex BMW master technician who used to work for Tim at l & C in croydon.

The no hot air was the water pump leaking. so not too serious and its the first time its had to have something replaced in 5 years so not bad going.

thanks again everyone. Pony, did you see the 335i on classic md auto's, any thoughts

[pony]

Water pumps have a habit of going at 100k
That's not too bad so the oil pressure was fine and just a sensor.
Just the water pump then.

Which garage did u take yours too ?

I haven't seen the 335i no. Is it E30 conversion or E92 ?

[Morat]

E46 oil sensors are weak. It's a litre of oil between min and max on the dipstick by the way. I overfilled the E46 last week and the cloud of smoke it produced when I went over a hump backed bridge at speed was enough to make me think I'd been shot down!
I think I got away with it this time but I won't be doing it again.

[driftmaster808]

pony its a e30 conversaion and its a belter of a car, google classic md auto's and look at the for sale section, tell me your thoughts

[pony]

I am not really an expert on E30s.
If u want someone to inspect and u are considering buying try pming
bss325i (Barry) or PacerPete

Have u ever been santapod on DWYB ?
I'd live to go but e30 SORN and needs a few things doing to it atm and funds r tight.
I got a rebuilt LSD 3.64 to put in though.
I can drift figures of 8 and a whole circle both ways though when I had a go in a Caterham.
I am kinda half OEM homo but have had a go at drifting in the past .... Really enjoyed it and love to do some more in the future.