HELP!! Oil light this morning, now EPC always lit?

arallsopp

arallsopp

Member
Howdo.

When I got into my 53-plate-35k-A2-1.4-petrol-sport-type-thing, aka Stubby this morning, I noticed the oil light was lit. My wife says she noticed it had come on yesterday when she popped to the shops, but figured it had only just become an issue so didn't think much of it.

I topped her up with a few capfuls at the bottom of the bottle (which was all I had to hand in the car), and resolved to go find some more. When I started her up again, I noticed that the EPC light was on. As was the oil lamp.

Wifey isn't sure the EPC light wasn't on along with the oil indicator yesterday. Is this just a normal indicator that something is wrong (there's not enough oil) or is there some further worry lurking behind those three little letters?

Any thoughts as I love her dearly and would hate to hurt her.

...or the car. ;)
 
The EPC light comes on for a variety of reasons. Fill the oil as per dipstick levels on level ground and run the car for a few miles to see if the EPC goes out. If not, a scan is the only real way of diagnosing the potential problem.

Cheers,

Mike
 
arallsopp said:
Mike. I can't find max/min levels on the dipstick. Only an orange ball a few inches from the end. Am I missing something here, or just surprisingly stupid?
Click to expand...

There should be the orange ball, then a length of wire, then another section of orange plastic at the end, which has a flat section with cross-hatchings on it. The oil level should be near the top of this cross-hatched area.

If you don't have this final bit of plastic, don't worry, but the dipstick has snapped off, meaning that you'll need a new one. They're just over a fiver and no, the snapped off section won't damamge the engine.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Thanks all.

I'll have another squizz at it and see if the end has come off. Reading some of the threads on here, I'm a bit worried about the oil that was packed into the boot now, as I inherited it in the (non dealer) purchase of the car.

As above, there were only a few capfuls in it, but I don't think it said 5w30 on it. Best check when I get home tonight. :eek:
 
Nope. Looks like the previous owner filled her up with "Castrol RS 0W40 racing extra power" Ok. Now I'm scared. I can't find it at the halfords website, and it doesn't look like the recommended spec.

What should I do? I don't have the manual, but she's on fixed service intervals and the forum says "VW 50400, VW 50101 or VW 50200 for standard services". As she seems to be nearly empty, should I fill her up with another oil (which?) from Halfords tomorrow, or take her to a stealer, get her drained or flushed or whatever it is, and refilled?

Mike? Anyone? Help!!!!
 
No need to panic and no need to visit a dealer. If you have access to axel stands, it is a job you can do yourself.

Before doing anything, jack up the car and remove the undertray, then lower.

Add the engine flush to a cool engine and run for the recommended time (up to about 15 mins).

Fully drain the oil and flush, then top up with the correct oil, which you have bought previously, look for anything with the VW 501 01 or VW 503 00 grades on the label.

Don't forget to put the sump plug back in before refilling though! And ideally, you should take the opportunity to change the filter.

If you don't fancy doing this yourself, and don't fancy dealer prices, find a good trustworthy independant.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Thanks Mike. Once again you've saved the day.

I don't have any axle stands, so fear this is going to have to be a job for an independent. There's a couple of VW garages around here, so I'll drop a line to both tomorrow, and take a punt on what they say.

Some days I wish I was practical. Computers, fine... Mechanical things... not a clue :)
 
Hi arallsopp
First choice would be an oil and filter change using Castrol Edge 5w30 which meets the latest VW50400 spec for both fixed and variable services - see Halfords link
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1_productId_210681_langId_-1_categoryId_77303
The 1.4 petrol engine is not highly stressed and in my opinion, running standard service intervals on Castrol RS oil will not have caused any damage.
Assuming you won't do the oil change yourself, the next problem is driving to the garage. I would be tempted to top up with a 0w40 synthetic (possibly Halfords own brand) and use it as a flushing oil. It won't be to the VW spec bit this won't matter for the few miles travelled.
Cheers Spike
 
Thanks Spike. That's very reassuring.
I think your suggestion for a top up is exactly what I'll have to do. Will ring round the VW garages to get a slot, then pop down to Halfords on the bike to grab some oil.

Boy. Am I glad to have access to these forums. :)
 
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