[prometal]

can somebody tell me what the oil warning light means when it is flashing . i just bought a 99 passat and there was no owners manual with the car

 

[disVWkat]

Check your oil level

 

[prometal]

i tried but for some reason there is not a full mark on my dipstick. this is my first volkswagen and i am not sure if there is supposed to be a actaul full line or if the full mark is where the knurls end on my dipstick. i am used to looking at a full line on my other cars. i feel like a dipstick asking these questions

 

[ericpeterman]

You may have an oil pressure problem. Is it a 1.8T, and how many miles are on it?

 

[prometal]

yes it is a 1.8t there are 66500 miles on it. i was thinking oil pressure but hoping that it is not

 

[jeffsu350]

the oil should be past the middle of the hash marks, is the oil is above the hash marks its too high and bad for the cats... if the oil is too low, below the hash marks its bad for the engine


but it could be an oil pressure thing too

 

[prometal]

if i'm not mistaken the oil level is in the middle of the hash marks. i will have to check it again in the morning

 

[ericpeterman]

If it is, you have an oil pressure problem. Does it happen as soon as you start it, or after the oil warms up?

 

[prometal]

It happened while i was going down the hiway after about 5 miles or so

 

[ericpeterman]

Oil pressure problem and it may be the rather typical 1.8T sludge/coked oil particles in the oil intake screen. You've got a few options available to you.

It also (just maybe) might be that a change of oil filter and putting in a good synthetic 5w-40 would take care of it. If you have very tired oil/filter or the wrong oil you can have a problem.

Most likely it's the sludge though. Are you under warranty? If so, don't drive it, take it in (as in have it towed in). If not, you can pull the pan and replace the oil pump. There are also some other ideas to try to avoid that. Check out this thread for more info to start: http://www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=78957&highlight=oil+pump

 

[crash893]

i tried but for some reason there is not a full mark on my dipstick. this is my first volkswagen and i am not sure if there is supposed to be a actaul full line or if the full mark is where the knurls end on my dipstick. i am used to looking at a full line on my other cars. i feel like a dipstick asking these questions

you should read the manual
it sounds stupid but they have alot of little tidbits that will save you some pain and angwish

espcially with things concerning oil

 

[Boris]

i tried but for some reason there is not a full mark on my dipstick. this is my first volkswagen and i am not sure if there is supposed to be a actaul full line or if the full mark is where the knurls end on my dipstick. i am used to looking at a full line on my other cars. i feel like a dipstick asking these questions

you should read the manual
it sounds stupid but they have alot of little tidbits that will save you some pain and angwish

espcially with things concerning oil

can somebody tell me what the oil warning light means when it is flashing . i just bought a 99 passat and there was no owners manual with the car

crash893 you dummy. You should read his post he has lot of little tidbits that will save you some pain and anguish. Tidbits like he's the second owner and he did not get the manual with the car when he bought it. :wink:

As for the oil pressure light blinking. I would not drive the car as there is possibility that the engine may seize. As stated above, change oil and see if it helps.
You may also try to flush the engine before the oil change. Add the flush just before you change the oil, and let it work for 30 minutes. Then drain and fill with new oil.
Use 0W-40, 5W-40, 5W-30, or 10W-30 oil.

 

[prometal]

the engine was gone over and had a new head and coomputer and timing belt put on a week befoore i bought it . i took it back to the dealer they think it is a sensor and they are going to look at it monday.

 

[turtle]

Hope it is the sensor. I know that both ericperterman and myself have lived the flashing red STOP oil pressure warning and found solutions to the problem. In our cases it involved removing the coked oil gunk from the pan which clogs the intake screen on the oil pump. Ericp dropped the pan to clean it and professes AutoRX prevention. I went the 5-minute flush route followed by many oil changes. Once fixed consider using an oversize oil filter like the NAPA 1333 for more capacity. 3.8 quarts with a turbo just isnt enough.
Good luck dude.

 

[prometal]

Me to but with my luck it will not be the sensor it will be the coked oil. thanks for the help

 

[Ooinn99]

Me to but with my luck it will not be the sensor it will be the coked oil. thanks for the help

From the sounds of the recent repairs, your used Passat recently experienced a broken timing belt/tensioner. The original design, used through 2000 I believe, was inadequate. I came very close to loosing my engine to this failure. A timing belt/tensioner break would explain the timing belt and head replacement. I would suspect that the pervious owner had the car chipped; this would explain the computer replacement. I would not rule out the possibility of sludging. With this type of recent significant work, I would negotiate a dealer warranty for at least six months/6K.

Keep your options open. Each State has its own version of the lemon law (http://www.state-lemon-law.org/). I am sure that you have the option of walking away from this purchase. While I enjoy my Passat very much, the Passat you purchased appears to be carrying some significant baggage. You may want to walk and find another B5 if you feel they are jerking you around. If you want to work with the dealer to salvage the deal, I recommend that you read up on your State’s lemon law. The information will provide significant leverage should you require it.