2001 2.8 30 V Oil pressure warning

[Schnauzerguy]

I got the car in spring. Just changed the oil for the first time on Sunday. The car has been driven since then with no issues. Last night I was driving it and the oil pressure indicator came on including the beeps. It went off quickly. I checked the level and it looked ok. I am leaning either towards the filter (used a Purolator Pure One), which I am going to replace with a genuine Audi filter or the sensor. Any other thoughts. The car has been maintained according to the schedule at the Audi dealer (the filter I took off was a genuine Audi). Any one have any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance

[Euromike]

The filter you used, is it massive? The filter in the 2.8 30v is about the size of a peanut butter jar, If yours isnt, thats probably your issue

Alot of parts companies will sell you a 1.8T filter, which is about 1/3 of the size

[Schnauzerguy]

The filter was definitely not as tall as the one it replaced but the diameter looked about the same. Unfortunately I tossed both the old filter and the box so I can't check the number. Thanks for the input. I see you are from Pittsburgh, any recommendations for a good indy Audi mechanic?

[Euromike]

Nope, i have dealt with many that all suck.

http://www.europortparts.com/item.ww...ch&weight=1.22
theres the filter you want. bosch.

[protocol_droid]

The oil pressure light may also be indicative of a clogged oil pickup tube (metal strainer) located in the oil pan. If clogged, oil is being starved at the top end of the engine and can cause the oil pressure light to go off. It does happen on 1.8t vehicles where inadequate oil change intervals and oil type may lead to this situation. You should have your oil pressure checked by a mechanic if you can't do it yourself to eliminate that from the equation.

[walky_talky20]

The clogged pickup isn't nearly as common on the 2.8's, but it is quite easy to check the pickup. Dropping the pan doesn't require moving the subframe or anything. Checking the pressure with a gauge would definitely be your first step, though.

Even if you change to a larger filter and the light stays off, I would be paranoid that I'd only fixed it so the pressure was *just* barely enough to keep the light off. Not where I want to be with oil pressure...on the edge. If it was my car and that warning came on even just once, you can be absolutely sure I'd be slapping a gauge on the thing before I drove it again.

[Schnauzerguy]

I am probably going to have it looked at. Is there an accessible place to pick up oil pressure or is the only way to drop the oil cooler and tap in where the pressure switch is?

[walky_talky20]

There isn't a service port that I know of on the 2.8 (but I can't say I've ever looked for one). You'd probably need to hook up at the oil pressure switch port.

[Schnauzerguy]

Changed the filter today to the Audi OEM. Drove the car several miles just enough to get the oil temp needle to start moving. I got the pressure warning, pulled over shut down and immediately restarted. The light stayed off on the return drive even when the oil temp had risen. I am leaning towards a bad switch but I am taking it in tomorrow to get the pressure checked. I also noticed an oil leak in the rear on the drivers side above the exhaust manifold, this explains the burning oil smell I get occasionally. Anyone hazard a guess on the source of the leak, valve cover gasket I am hoping.

[walky_talky20]

Yep valve cover gasket. Famous for leaking on the 30V's. For that repair, you really want to do it all at once: valve cover gaskets, cam chain tensioner gaskets/semi-circle plugs, and cam plugs. You don't want to do it halfway, you'll just be chasing leaks. At the shop I work at, we usually combine this job with the t-belt/water pump job at 90K or so. It is also a good time check and replace any PCV items (suction jet pump, spider hose, etc) Go in a do everything at once. It ends up being a pretty big bill, but probably not even close to what a dealer would charge for just a t-belt.

[wildbill]

i once had a light for one sec...never came back since...20 lbs. all day! wanted to brag...and agree with walky talky

[Schnauzerguy]

Agree, Should do it all at once. Only thing the dealer did the T belt about 10k ago and replaced cam seals etc. to address an oil leak. I need to talk to the guy I bought it from and see the bill. If they did everything then I am going to try to replace the PCV parts and hope the leak goes away, there is a TSB that says it should.

[Schnauzerguy]

Just an update. Shop says I have plentyof oil pressure but the switch is cracked. New one ordered should have it back tomorrow

[protocol_droid]

^^^sweet