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Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - unfortuanterenaultowner
Hi there,

my friends 1998 corsa 1.0 12v has just had an oil change, shortly after returning from the garage, the oil light came on, so she stopped, checked the oil level - which was just below the maximum mark. so she continued to drive. the oil light remained illuminated.

And now, the car sounds like a really unrefined diesel engine when running, (much like a cavalier 1.7TD), the noise sounds very "tappety". I'm wondering if the garage has used the wrong grade of oil in the car?? Am i correct in thinking this?? and also, does anyone know the grade of oil that should be used?

cheers
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - Number_Cruncher
The grade of oil has nothing to do with this.

>>so she continued to drive

Not wise. It sounds very much like the top end of the engine (and perhaps more) has been starved of oil.

If there is enough oil in the sump, then, the first thing to check is that the oil filter seals are in place, and that the oil filter bypass valve isn't stuck open.

Get the fault fixed. Once oil is flowing again, the engine should go quiet. If it goes quiet again, then, it's time to consider how the car should be sold - perhaps use it as a trade in?

Number_Cruncher
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - unfortuanterenaultowner
i've just been told a little more about the situation, apparently, the garage drained some oil out of the engine, as the level was too high, would this cause the oil filer bypass valve to stick??
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - yorkiebar
Too much oil or too ittle oil ?

Need to know more about this I think before any real comments can be made?
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - Number_Cruncher
How much was the oil over-filled?

Unless there was way too much oil in, I can't see how you would get almost imediate damage.

Thinking about what's involved in changing the oil on these, I would begin by looking closely at the oil filter housing - take the oil filter out, and make sure all the seals are in the right place. Have a look for the filter by-pass valve, it will be near the filter housing, make sure there isn't some rubbish in there holding the valve open.

I'm saying all this as if you should be doing this checking - the garage who did this oil change should be taking some responsibility for this problem.

Number_Cruncher
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - unfortuanterenaultowner
>too much or too little oil?
According to the garage, there was too much oil in the engine,
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - yorkiebar
If they changed the oil then I agree with NC,they should be sorting this out for you.
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 12v oil change/grade - Dynamic Dave
so she continued to drive. the oil light remained illuminated.


As per the other comments, a big no no. The light isn't an oil level check light IT IS an oil pressure check light. Please drum it into your friends head that if this light ever comes on again, then turn off the engine immediately and at the very least do as the handbook suggests, or alternately seek professional advice from a mechanic. But whatever she does, DO NOT continue to let the engine run.

Lecture over.
also does anyone know the grade of oil that should be used?


10W/40 semi synth.

www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/owners/engineoils.do#Corsa