Oil light on for first few seconds

johnlewis · Post by **johnlewis** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:50 pm

Hi guys

My oil light comes on when cold for a few seconds. It's only just started doing it. I checked the oil level on the dipstick and it was about half way. I've added 1L but it's still on. I have a 5L can of 5w30 here but the dipstick now looks to be at the correct level - I don't want to put too much in obviously.

What else could be causing it, or do I still need a drop more oil?

Ta

J

Post by **g8dhe** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:03 pm

Oil light also shows pressure as well, so it might be that.

Post by **Muzorewa** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:10 pm

Ours does it if the engine's been stopped for more than a few minutes. Because the filter is horizontal, when the engine is stopped there's nothing stopping some of the oil pouring back into the sump, so when you start the engine it takes a few seconds for the filter body to be refilled by the pump. On ours you can hear a definite quietening of the engine once pressure is resumed and the oil light goes out.

helen&tony · Post by **helen&tony** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:49 pm

Hi
As Muz. says, the oil settles back out of the filter on many replacement filters...however, the original Mazda ones have a valve to stop draining out...and I only use MANN or Bosch filters, and they don't give any trouble, either...
Cheers
Helen

winchman · Post by **winchman** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:18 pm

Muzorewa wrote:Ours does it if the engine's been stopped for more than a few minutes. Because the filter is horizontal, when the engine is stopped there's nothing stopping some of the oil pouring back into the sump, so when you start the engine it takes a few seconds for the filter body to be refilled by the pump. On ours you can hear a definite quietening of the engine once pressure is resumed and the oil light goes out.

Mines been exactly the same for the last three years, I don't feel its any thing to worry about

teenmal · Post by **teenmal** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:52 pm

You need to have the Oil Pressure checked as a matter of routine .

It could also be a faulty (or connection) oil level sensor, and or a faulty oil warning light switch.

Most of the good filters have a none return disk fitted to them.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:54 pm

If you've not done oil & filter change recently, now may be the time to do one (using good quality filter of type mentioned). Oil light on for a second or two is otherwise nothing to be alarmed about.

teenmal · Post by **teenmal** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:57 pm

teenmal wrote:You need to have the Oil Pressure checked as a matter of routine .

It could also be a faulty (or connection) oil level sensor, and or a faulty oil warning light switch.

Most of the good filters have a none return disk fitted to them.

What do you mean by""My oil light comes on when cold for a few seconds""

Do you actually mean after the engine has been started, the light goes out then comes back on for a few seconds?

winchman · Post by **winchman** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:13 pm

No the light is slow going off so engine starts then a couple of seconds later the oil pressure warning light goes out

teenmal · Post by **teenmal** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:57 am

winchman wrote:No the light is slow going off so engine starts then a couple of seconds later the oil pressure warning light goes out

As said it could be oil draining back into sump, dodgey filter, weak oil pump, pressure/balance control valves, worn main bearings (especially if you hear a rumble before light goes out.) The best line is to test the Oil Pressure from cold start with a gauge, that will Show you whats what.

It could also be the sump filter and pick up pipe needing looked at,the pick up pipe has been known to shed bolts on the flange in the WLT engine.

johnlewis · Post by **johnlewis** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 3:37 pm

Sorry it took so long to reply guys, mad here!

Pretty much to the letter of what Muz says, I take it being warmer it is running out easier than when it's cooler, therefore I'm noticing it more during this hot spell.

It does act like something clicks off and it quietens noticably after a few secs. Nothing to indicate low oil though now, all seems ship shape.

I've bought 5L anyway now, still unused, so I guess I'll get a decent filter next month, procure some more oil and do a full change.

Sweet! Thank you

teenmal · Post by **teenmal** » Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:00 am

johnlewis wrote:Sorry it took so long to reply guys, mad here!

Pretty much to the letter of what Muz says, I take it being warmer it is running out easier than when it's cooler, therefore I'm noticing it more during this hot spell.

It does act like something clicks off and it quietens noticably after a few secs. Nothing to indicate low oil though now, all seems ship shape.

I've bought 5L anyway now, still unused, so I guess I'll get a decent filter next month, procure some more oil and do a full change.

Sweet! Thank you

Don't want to Scaremonger but, a noisy engine on start up does ( Normally )indicate oil starvation( Low or No oil pressure).

Oil light on for first few seconds

Oil light on for first few seconds

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Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds

Re: Oil light on for first few seconds