OIL LIGHT!!!

[joe-robo]

i have noticed over the last few days that my oil light is taking longer to go out when i first start the van (it goes out as normal after the initial start up)
i have checked oil level and everything seem ok, no leaks etc etc.
anyone got any ideas....

[francophile1947]

Cold oil takes longer to circulate, so the light may take a little longer to go out.
What oil are you using? - maybe a thinner one would help.

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Hey Joe, ( ) it's probably simply down to the much lower temps these days. Or possibly - tho' unlikely - the oil filter return valve is leaking and allowing it to drain back into the sump.

When was the oil and filter last changed? Do you do this job yourself? If it's anywhere near due, perhaps it's worth doing?

If so, use a decent semi-synth oil such as Millers 10W40 for turbo diesels (around £17 5l from motor factors) and a new filter. Synthetic (or semi-synth) oils are better at staying 'thin' when cold. Cheshire ain't too cold, I don't think (?) - if you were in certain areas of Scotland with temps regularly well below freezing, then a thinner grade oil might be recommended.

Fill the cold oil level to absolute 'max' - but obviously not over.

Since doing this, my niece's Bongo's oil light goes out in less than a second from cold (used to take a good couple), and goes out before the engine fully fires up when warm.

I know it's sometimes suggested that the actual quality of the oil isn't so important since the Bongo has such regular oil changes, but I personally feel there is a significant advantage in using a decent quality largely synthetic oil over a mineral type. It has far better control over its viscosity - doesn't thicken up so much when cold, and doesn't thin too much when warm! And it really doesn't cost that much more.

[joe-robo]

i got the van in april from wheelquick in wigan, they did all the servicing stuff before i picked it up so i have no idea what oil was used....i have done about 1000 miles in it since....

[Bob]

Wheelquick will have done a good job, probably just the cold weather.

Some of the cheaper aftermarket oil filters don't have the non-return valve in them, that's why they're cheaper, but as this is a new trick of your Bongo's I still think cold weather.

[bigdaddycain]

i got the van in april from wheelquick in wigan, they did all the servicing stuff before i picked it up so i have no idea what oil was used....i have done about 1000 miles in it since....

They use shell helix 10/40 semi synth.