"Fuel pressure light" - Slightly confused by this, Do you mean "oil pressure light".

Yes - that is the one. It comes on at random times, sometimes with beep, sometimes not. Sometimes when driving slow, sometimes when on the motorway.

When I first spot it, I took it to the mechanic who did the full service and he replaced a part (not sure the name) as he thought it just wasn't reading the oil level properly as the oil level is fine. He said it wasn't a big problem and just to keep an eye on the engine heat.

I decided to speak to a 2nd mechanic who thinks the two problems are not related. He said to try to flush the engine to fix the pressure light problem but it did nothing. He said it could be the pump but difficult to tell without looking into it properly and it is likely that I will just be throwing money at it and not get to the bottom of it.

I bought it from a private seller so do not think I can do anything about it now. Hoping someone has had similar problem and can shed some light on these issues.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. If it is below spec, would it be down to the pump?

I can't afford to spend much more on it and I am in two minds of whether to keep it until it goes or sell on and make a massive loss. The main worry about keeping it, is that I will put myself and others in danger.

Thanks - will take it to another mechanic tonight. Will ask him about the oil pressure gauge and also spark plugs as read online it could be them.

Fingers crossed!

Not for the oil pressure problem but the jerkiness when starting in 1st gear when stationary.

The 2nd mechanic I took the car to reckons the two problems are not related.

So the jerkiness of the car may be down to a faulty ignition lead - have just ordered some and hopefully will be able to test it on the weekend.

He reckons the oil light/noise may be down to the pump and will be doing a pressure test on it at some point next week. I was told that if it has low pressure, it can only be down to a faulty pump - does anyone know if that would be the case?

Someone will correct me but I think dodgy crankshaft bearings can cause oil pressure problems. Stretching the limit of my memory here though!

Hi,

Thanks again for the replies.

I have spoken to the 1st mechanic who did a full service and he did replace the oil pressure sensor but it did not change the light coming on. At the time, he told me that it didn't look like anything big and just to keep an eye on the engine heat when the light comes on and check oil levels more regularly.

Just to clarify, the light and noise don't always come on after 10-15 minutes - sometimes longer, although never less, and it comes and goes. It doesn't always beeps either, sometimes it is just the light.

When I noticed the jerkiness of the car, I thought these two may be related - i know nothing about cars but certainly learning every day - now that the jerkiness has been put down to the ignition lead, this new mechanic has suggested replacing the oil pump but will do a pressure test first for free.

Is there any way to know if damage has been done to the engine?

I wonder if there is much point to replace the pump if there could be further issues with this.

Forgot to mention that the oil level is fine.

I don't really want to pay to have the pump replaced if that may not be the problem.

The problem you have is that if the pump IS the problem, and you don't replace it ... when it fails properly, your car is basically scrap

If you get to the stage of an engine knock and or rumble then it is game over for the engine.

How does the oil smell. If you drive on badly worn bearings you get a distinctive smell - sort of burnt-ish.