Technical Fine when cold then oil pressure light and noisey when warm?? - please help!

[Rodge]

Hi, I've been a Fiat owner for a couple of years now but have just decided to change my Brava for a Mk2 Punto. I've only just got the car but I'm already running into problems. Everything seemed fine on the test drive but once I was on my way back home, as the engine got warmer, the oil pressure light came on at idle. As I accelerated away though it went out so I wasn't too worried as the manual says this is ok. The majority of the journey was motorway which seemed to go ok but when I got stuck in traffic and the engine was idling more and getting even warmer, it seemed to need higher revs to make the oil pressure light go out. The engine also started to be come much noisier, particularly on slight acceleration . I've taken her for a short spin today and symptoms were the same again. Seems totally fine when cold but problems increase with temperature.

Oh and on a separate note the clutch is also slipping at highish revs.

So basically I think I've bought a proper wrong 'un and would just like any advice as to what my best options are. Is it even worth paying any money just to get the problem diagnosed or should I just get rid of it straight away and cut my losses?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[s and b]

did it not occur to you to check the engine oil level before you murdered it?

 

[Rodge]

Yeah I pulled over and checked it straight away. It's bang on max. Checked it numerous times and it's always been at max so not a problem with the level.

 

[Dcthebear]

Petrol or diesel?

 

[Rodge]

It's a petrol. Is it worth trying an engine flush and oil change or am I not likely to achieve anything by doing it?

 

[Dcthebear]

I'm thinking its most probably a cooling problem rather than an oil one. Oil expands like most liquids under heat and pressure. Reduce the heat and you'll reduce the pressure. When was the coolant last changed and more importantly, what with? Worse case is its been over diluted with tap water. Much cheaper and easier option to change the coolant first and try again.

 

[Rodge]

Well that's definitely an interesting and unexpected take on the situation. As I've only just got the car I've no idea of how old the coolant is. The service history doesn't give any clues. There doesn't however seem to be any signs of overheating unless what I've described is actually one?? What's confusing me though is that if the pressure increases with temperature, why am I getting a warning for LOW pressure when it's warmer?

Thanks for the feedback

 

[littleyellowpaininthearse]

Surely your pump is suspect ?

 

[Rodge]

That is the conclusion that I seem to be coming to. My question is do I bother getting it seen to or just get rid? Bearing in mind there could now already be engine damage and the clutch is slipping too so thats something else to look at. How've I've ended up with such a lemon? Oh well you learn from your mistakes. Much longer test drives from now on!