"Low oil pressure" warning Vauxhall Insignina 2011

[councillor]

Getting a "Low oil pressure" warning on my Vauxhall Insignia 2011 , bit of research its a common fault "Oil pic up Seal" needs replacing. I ignored the warning for a little while, the warning started flashing quite a lot the other day, previously it was only a hand full of times and the engine started sounding very rough so I stopped driving it. Ive started it again on the drive and it sounds fine the engine noise is ok. Questions A) Have I knackered the engine? B) if I get it changed (small fortune) will it cure the problem or will my engine be a little bit knackered going forward. Thanks all

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

A} Yes - it will have done it a lot of not good. Once damage is done, it is too late.

 

[councillor]

Thanks Harry appreciate your reply
Its sounds fine now though. Not trying to argue with your opinion I really appreciate your comment, would it be because it cooled down that is sounds ok. And if its knackered whats the remedy may I ask
Thanks
Rob

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Take the car for 10/15 minutes drive, see how it sounds and responds.

But likely to be a replacement engine, uneconomical to repair

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And if its knackered whats the remedy may I ask

The noise, will have been the main, plain, crank bearings. If those run dry, the bearings will be damaged, plus possibly the crank itself. Assuming that is all that is damaged, then it will need the engine out, crank dopped out, and new plain white metal bearings fitted. All very expensive, specialised work. Usually, a replacement engine would be fitted, instead.

 

[norseman]

The noise, will have been the main, plain, crank bearings. If those run dry, the bearings will be damaged, plus possibly the crank itself. Assuming that is all that is damaged, then it will need the engine out, crank dopped out, and new plain white metal bearings fitted. All very expensive, specialised work. Usually, a replacement engine would be fitted, instead.

Do manuf. still use white metal bearings? I thought they went out with the Ark when replaceable shells came in?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do manuf. still use white metal bearings? I thought they went out with the Ark when replaceable shells came in?

I'm not sure - it's been a long time since I last had to strip an engine down that far..

 

[Burnerman]

Traditionally white metal bearings were cast in situ onto the connecting rod and then machined afterwards.
It’s usually an alloy of lead, tin and zinc in various percentages, with occasionally antimony and aluminium present.
Shell bearings are much the same but are replaceable and they have a bronze backing.
They rely on constant lubrication and will fail very quickly without it.....and if a large mileage is done, a crank regrind is likely.
John

 

[councillor]

Thank you everyone, so if it runs fine for 15 mins worth changing over the oilepickup seal ? or shall I just scrap it and buy a Nissan ?

 

[Burnerman]

I guess it depends on how easy it is to get the sump off, and your desire to get stuck in.
I don’t know the fault but it’s sounds like the oil pick up pipe is loose and sucking air instead of oil.
You can replace the big end shells too, but the main bearings are more difficult!
So, the fault will come back if nothing is done, and the engine will be a knacker.
Maybe a replacement engine is best, which all come with their own possible nasties.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thank you everyone, so if it runs fine for 15 mins worth changing over the oilepickup seal ? or shall I just scrap it and buy a Nissan ?

Do you feel lucky?

When the oil light comes on, it usually means it's too late anyway. It happened to a SAAB, I had, at the time, parked whilst working 80 miles from home, after I'd just finished work, late one evening. The light didn't go out when I started it, so I stopped it straight away, and phoned a friend to tow me home. Once home, I decided it was probably the oil pressure sensor, replaced it, and the problem was fixed. I was lucky, it was just the sensor, but the point is, if the light comes on, you switch the engine off immediately and just hope no damage has been done.

The pressure of the oil, is designed to prevent metal to metal contact. Once metal to metal contact is made, the engine is scrap.

 

[councillor]

Do I feel Lucky Harry....No Guess I bought a rotter only had it 6 months radiator was knackered after week3 (warrenty replaced it) then this! having said that the engine was noisy to begin with you know like a taxi with 450k on it so my fault really. Strangely I had a SAAB 93 before that and that died a tragic death. GM not going near another one .I see what you mean John about replacing the engine out of the frying pan......
Do WBAC literally buy anything as long as you tell them the faults? might get more than scrapping it or G-tree it as spares or repair hmmm choices...
Thanks ever so much chaps big help

 

[mointainwalker]

What's the model/mileage ?

I have only had GM 1.8 petrol models since 1990 and the only breakdown was a water-pump failure and still able to drive 25 miles (?) to a garage. Other necessary replacements were in the suspension: drop-links and one broken spring plus cam-belt and water pump at recommended intervals. Currently I have a low oil-level warning light, but that's due to ageing sensors as level is fine

 

[norseman]

What's the model/mileage ?

I have only had GM 1.8 petrol models since 1990 and the only breakdown was a water-pump failure and still able to drive 25 miles (?) to a garage. Other necessary replacements were in the suspension: drop-links and one broken spring plus cam-belt and water pump at recommended intervals. Currently I have a low oil-level warning light, but that's due to ageing sensors as level is fine

Sensors can be a pain & human nature being what it is once we have established that it's a spurious warning we tend to ignore it without knowing if one day the damn thing will actually tell the truth.

Then whilst crying into your beer because the engine is toast your mates will say 'that's what you get for ignoring the warning light for the past months/years

 

[mointainwalker]

Sensors can be a pain & human nature being what it is once we have established that it's a spurious warning we tend to ignore it without knowing if one day the damn thing will actually tell the truth.

Not really the case that I checked it in 2023 and then never since.