Low oil pressure

Bassmansam · 30 Jul 2024 at 07:45

Car: Citroen C1

On Sunday, the low oil pressure light came on while i was on a dual carriageway doing 50mph, immediate thought was to divert to a garage that was about 2 miles away and was near to the supermarket i was going to anyway. After two mins the light goes off and i'm thinking ok thats weird but it must be a good thing right? I drive it home 10 miles all good no problem. Yesterday i dropped my wife at the station (3 miles eachway), pulling into my road is a tight turn and after that the light comes back on( not sure if any significance?).

Parked it up (my space is on a slight slant) checked the dipstick which is dry. Spoke to a mechanic as its due for MOT next week he said put some oil in which i will try today. I don't recall hearing any loud knocking noises but i'm already thinking what if the engines knackered. Why would the light come on and then go off and be fine for about 12 miles until coming on again??

For context, i've had the car since last August after 15 years of not having one so my maintenance knowledge isn't good. I do know to check tyre pressure but beyond that..
I did have it serviced in January so i thought i was good for the year but the manual says to check oil every 3000 miles , doh!

Nasher · 30 Jul 2024 at 07:47

Usually an oil light means stop immediately or you'll destroy the engine. If there isn't an oil leak it must be burning it off for some reason. Always carry some spare oil.

If it's the 1.0 engine they are usually pretty reliable. They are Toyota sourced, chain driven etc.

BUDFORCE · 30 Jul 2024 at 07:49

You'll probably be fine, but please put some oil in it!!!!!

Bassmansam · 30 Jul 2024 at 07:52

Nasher said:
Usually an oil light means stop immediately or you'll destroy the engine. If there isn't an oil leak it must be burning it off for some reason. Always carry some spare oil.

These engines are usually pretty reliable. They are Toyota designed, chain driven etc.

Na not this one, its got the Puretech 1.2 with the dodgy cambelt.

Nasher · 30 Jul 2024 at 07:56

Bassmansam said:
Na not this one, its got the Puretech 1.2 with the dodgy cambelt.

Yea it's a Peugeot engine with a wet belt. Like the Ecoboost Fords they can start to fall apart and clogg oil passageways. If it hasn't been changed on schedule that needs doing asap and only use OEM oil.

Bassmansam · 30 Jul 2024 at 08:02

Nasher said:
Yea it's a Peugeot engine with a wet belt. Like the Ecoboost Fords they can start to fall apart and clogg oil passageways. If it hasn't been changed on schedule that needs doing asap and only use OEM oil.

No idea, as i say i bought it last August and there was no service history with it( yes i know! lesson learned now) I bought some oil from Halfords , had to put in the reg number so assume its the right oil.

bimbleuk · 30 Jul 2024 at 08:15

Bassmansam said:
No idea, as i say i bought it last August and there was no service history with it( yes i know! lesson learned now) I bought some oil from Halfords , had to put in the reg number so assume its the right oil.

At this stage any oil is better than no oil

Yeah reg check should be fine to get the right oil in Halfords.

tom_e · 30 Jul 2024 at 08:25

How much is a slight slant? Ideally get it on level ground and check the oil before you end up overfilling it. Worst case the belt is toast and it's clogging up the oil pickup which is why you're getting the low pressure warning. Best case you've just got a very thirsty engine, not sure what the manufacturer spec on oil consumption on these is but some engines 1l per 1k miles is not unexpected.

Bassmansam · 30 Jul 2024 at 08:40

tom_e said:
How much is a slight slant? Ideally get it on level ground and check the oil before you end up overfilling it. Worst case the belt is toast and it's clogging up the oil pickup which is why you're getting the low pressure warning. Best case you've just got a very thirsty engine, not sure what the manufacturer spec on oil consumption on these is but some engines 1l per 1k miles is not unexpected.

If it is okay i'm thinking of selling it to webuyanycar for 4k. The potential with the timing belt is enough to make me want rid of it. Its a shame becuase its a good little car, nice to drive. I wfh so just use it for driving round town and 1-2 motorway trips a month. Maybe the 1.0 version or Toyota Aygo will be more reliable.

jpaul · 30 Jul 2024 at 09:43

Bassmansam said:
I did have it serviced in January so i thought i was good for the year but the manual says to check oil every 3000 miles , doh!

so the oil was changed in January - who by, with what ?
I'd be checking it was right and potentially getting it changed anyway

eg https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=80847 "wet belt c1 best oil inurl:forum"

The car is Citroen C1 2018 998cc, 1KR-FE engine.

I was told by the Citroen importer in my country I need to use 5W30 B71 2297 oil.

But then I found the service manual for the "twin" car - the Toyota Aygo 2018 and it's written there that 0W20 would be the best, and nothing about B71 2297. I assume because B71 2297 is a PSA standard and not Toyota.
Because in the Toyota manual it only says:

0W20 with API SL, SM, or SL, and if 0W20 is not available, then 5W30 is also good (But needs to be replaced in the next oil change).

I then called a parts store close by and asked them what oil I need for the Citroen C1 2018 and they told me "You need 5W30 C2".

I then asked them "Do I not need B71 2297?" And then they searched and said: "Oh yea, you must use B71 2297 because the Citroen C1 2018 timing belt is dipped in oil".

Is that true? I am so confused, I was sure I was already going to get the B71 2297 but keep getting contradicting information.

Also, the B71 2297 cost 70 euros, and a standard API SN / C2 is half the price.

What oil do I need then?

Bassmansam · 30 Jul 2024 at 10:29

jpaul said:
so the oil was changed in January - who by, with what ?
I'd be checking it was right and potentially getting it changed anyway

eg https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=80847 "wet belt c1 best oil inurl:forum"

My local branch of In n out Auto centres, the invoice says they used 5W30 C2. The oil i bought from halfords yesterday(reccomended when i put reg in) is
Castrol Magnatec Stop-Start 0W-30 C2 Oil 1L

jpaul · 30 Jul 2024 at 15:04

I think if I was running one would put b71 2297 in, in a subsequent full change VVVV

but, have DIY'd for the last years which offsets dealer high synthetic oil prices fuchSupersyn,now Valvoline Maxlife

google "psa b71 2312 2297" https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/which-engine-oil.365585/

The 9HP engine is designed with either 5W30 or 0W30 in mind.

5W30: PSA B71 2290 <<<< Magnatec
0W30: PSA B71 2312

If you are outside of Europe with high or extremely high operating temperatures and/or poor quality fuel PSA recommends.

5W30: PSA B71 2297

.....

I guess PSA has a reason for recommending the HTC over the ECS outside of Europe.

The HTC propably gives better "real life" protection over the ECS, but the ECS might be necessary for PSA to conform with EU "green" legislation. But that is just me guessing.

The HTC is a C3 SN oil with an additive package formulated in accordance with PSA B71 2297.

A similar, or better, alternative would be the Mobil1 ESP 5W30 which has more approvements than most other 5W30 oils.

Simon · 30 Jul 2024 at 17:14

Low oil light due to no oil or the strainer blocked but sounds like its low as the dipstick is dry so stick anything in!

jpaul said:
I think if I was running one would put b71 2297 in, in a subsequent full change VVVV

but, have DIY'd for the last years which offsets dealer high synthetic oil prices fuchSupersyn,now Valvoline Maxlife

google "psa b71 2312 2297" https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/which-engine-oil.365585/

Wrong oil and wrong spec for EU. Thats a extreme climate PSA spec, primarily for other engines but includes the EB2 and hard to find here (because its not needed).
In Europe EB2 needs B71 2290 which is 5W-30 C2 as recommended or the 2312 0W-30 (depends on version tbh). There is a TSB out for some EB2 and DV5s to go to the new Stellantis harmonised spec FPW9-03 and thats the Total oil (they mention HTC but its now the RCP oil) TotalEnergies Quartz Ineo RCP 5W-30

Stop googling stuff then offering out as advice, it doesn't help anyone! You are just sharing wrong information

jpaul · 30 Jul 2024 at 18:24

Simon said:
Low oil light due to no oil or the strainer blocked but sounds like its low as the dipstick is dry so stick anything in!

Wrong oil and wrong spec for EU. Thats a extreme climate PSA spec, primarily for other engines but includes the EB2 and hard to find here (because its not needed).
In Europe EB2 needs B71 2290 which is 5W-30 C2 as recommended or the 2312 0W-30 (depends on version tbh). There is a TSB out for some EB2 and DV5s to go to the new Stellantis harmonised spec FPW9-03 and thats the Total oil (they mention HTC but its now the RCP oil) TotalEnergies Quartz Ineo RCP 5W-30

Stop googling stuff then offering out as advice, it doesn't help anyone! You are just sharing wrong information

the logic that there is a better specced oil you could have (at a price) works for me ! - if you know it's not specific for his car engine though, fine

e: ok could just link the psa tsb

Worldwide: New lubricant formulated for PSA car engines in extreme conditions

lubricants.totalenergies.com

Bassmansam · 31 Jul 2024 at 12:25

Topped it up with some oil yesterday and the light was still coming on so called out a mechanic who said it needs an Oil sump/gasket replacement which he is working on now.
Thats cost me £500, i've only had it a year, already had the front brakes done(£300) , service (£200), front tyres replaced (£260). Its a right little money pit so i'm going to sell it on motorway/webuyany car.

Lesson learned, do not buy a car with a wet belt.

Armageus · 31 Jul 2024 at 12:40

Bassmansam said:
Its a right little money pit so i'm going to sell it on motorway/webuyany car.

Eh?
Seems pointless to get rid of it if you're bothering to fix it. If there aren't any obvious issues with the wet belt (i.e. blocked strainer) then I don't see the point in spending money and then changing.

Bassmansam said:
i've only had it a year, already had the front brakes done(£300) , service (£200), front tyres replaced (£260).

All of which are consumables that you could pay out for on any used car. Even a brand new car is still likely going to need an annual service.

A one off £500 unexpected bill hardly screams money pit

Bassmansam · 31 Jul 2024 at 12:43

Armageus said:
Eh?
Seems pointless to get rid of it if you're bothering to fix it. If there aren't any obvious issues with the wet belt (i.e. blocked strainer) then I don't see the point in spending money and then changing.

All of which are consumables that you could pay out for on any used car. Even a brand new car is still likely going to need an annual service.

A one off £500 unexpected bill hardly screams money pit

If i don't fix it ill get 2k for it according to quotes i have, if i do then I will get 4k. Seems worth it to me.
Mechanic did say the belt is starting to crack, don't fancy another big bill to fix that down the line. I wfh and only use it for small trips and the occasional motorway trip.

I'm not experienced with cars but for a car thats not essential having to spend over 1k in my first year ( not incl service) on maintenance isn't worth it for me.

Raymond Lin · 31 Jul 2024 at 12:53

I carry 1L of oil in my boot at all times. My car burns through oil slowly over a year, I normally get the light usually after about 8 months after service. I just top it up as necessary until next service.

Armageus · 31 Jul 2024 at 12:58

Raymond Lin said:
I carry 1L of oil in my boot at all times. My car burns through oil slowly over a year, I normally get the light usually after about 8 months after service. I just top it up as necessary until next service.

It's a sensible recommendation for any car (especially modern ones where you may not easily be able to source the correct specification oil)

Bassmansam · 31 Jul 2024 at 13:12

Raymond Lin said:
I carry 1L of oil in my boot at all times. My car burns through oil slowly over a year, I normally get the light usually after about 8 months after service. I just top it up as necessary until next service.

I wish it was just a low oil problem as it would have been a lot cheaper to sort out! Will definitely carry oil once i get a different car.