Technical Insufficient oil pressure when moving off on 500x multijet 1.6

[dangermouse37]

Hello, I've had a read of several threads and decided to make my own.
We've had this car for a 2-3 years and I've started driving it 4 weeks ago and responsible for looking after it.

History

Car	9 year old Fiat 500x Lounge 1.6 Multijet Diesel
Mileage	around 125k miles.
Last cambelt & water pump change*	Never
Last oil pump change*	Never
Last oil filter change*	Never (Possibly 2019)
Last auxillary belt change*	Never
Last fuel filter change*	Never (Possibly 2019)
Last service*	4 days ago

*Only reason being financial issues, no flame please, but I'm in a much better position now

Was serviced 4 days ago, but prior to that it was last serviced in 2019 at 39649 miles
Driving around is fine, no warnings at all at any speed.
No smoke.
No knocking.
Temperature gauge is in the middle after a drive (?) (I have never looked at this guy before but will start doing so)
Don't remember the engine over-revving at any point.
Oil level is debatable, I checked the level 5 times and each time it was different.

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Issue

3 weeks ago:

• While car was moving "Insufficient oil pressure" flashed orange for a few seconds and then "start stop unavailable" but car didn't stall. Was not on an incline. This one I think was genuinely just low oil maybe? This was also DURING my driving test.

2 weeks ago:

• Car was stationary, trying to move off at traffic light or junctions "Insufficient oil pressure" flashed red and car stalled a few times. Was on an incline each time.
• Checked oil level and topped up with 5w 30 (can't remember model number) 1 litre and drive home was fine.
• Car service was coming following week anyway. Was too nervous to drive car till then, due to fear of stalling at junctions and lights.

5 days ago:

• Car was serviced. Oil drained and refilled either 3.7 or 4.7 litres (mech can't remember exactly).
• Drove car that day. No issues.

1 day ago:

• Car was stationary, trying to move off at junction "Insufficient oil pressure" flashed red. Car stalled multiple times. "Start stop unavailable". Was on an incline (again).
• Checked oil level, mech said it should be at a level to not warrant a warning. It was either just above the low line, or overfilled (this was really hard to gauge, I tried doing it like 5 times).
• Second time car was stationary at traffic light, trying to move off, "Insufficient oil pressure" (can't remember colour) and car nearly stalls but manages to get going ....
• Checked oil level again multiple times. this thing is driving me crazy. Mech suggest to:
  • Start car and sit there and wait to see how long till the warning appears: Waited like 3-5 mins and no warning came on
  • Drive around locally: Drove around, no warning, everything was fine.
  • Suggests it might be the oil pressure switch.

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Research

From my reading around in the forums (references included as links):

1. This thread about insufficient oil pressure in a fiat punto suggested to:
   • Flush the oil for an hour
   • Drain & throw out oil
   • Change to lower viscosity
   • Oil pressure check (to rule out pump or switch issue)
   • Could be restricted picking up tube
   • Could be leaky gasket o ring
   • (changing the oil cooler and pump solved their problem)
2. This thread about an intermittent oil pressure warning in a fiat 500 suggested to:
   • Could be wire to pressure sensor
   • "Fluctuation of voltage reading picked up by the ECU,(s) which are outside there expected parameters could trigger the warning message without you seeing the oil pressure warning triangle if its only illuminated briefly!"
   • Sump is known to rust and leak
   • Recheck oil on a daily basis
   • Check battery earth strap (although was commented that we'd see more random messages as opposed to just this one)
3. This thread about oil pressure warnings going round long turns and intermittently suggested to:
   • Missed oil changes
   • Pickup strainer partially blocked
   • Pump is worn
   • If wiring was damaged, the warnings would be more random or just constant

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My Thoughts

Regardless of the issue above, the cambelt & waterpump, oil pump & filter are well overdue a change so I should get those done right? And do they all have to be genuine parts or can we get an equivalent?

I'm going to:

• Check oil levels daily
• Replace oil filter - Forums recommended an official MOPAR part so I have to locate one of those
• Check:
  • oil pressure
  • picking up tube & strainer (?)
  • if sump is rusty/leaky (but this would have been picked up in the service right?)
  • gasket o ring
  • wire to pressure sensor
  • battery earth strap (may as well)

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If you have read this far, I kindly thank you for your time and hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Feel free to leave any kind of message as I am new here and happy to meet you all.

In the meantime, I will continue to update this thread with my findings.



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[dangermouse37]

Quick update, we are calling a garage to discuss changing the cambelt, water pump, oil, oil filter, and the oil pressure switch. My suspicions are on the switch but the rest just really need to be done for a car of this age and mileage….