Everything that is connected with oil pressure should be treated seriously. If your Volkswagen says “Oil Pressure, Engine Off”, you aren’t likely to have a good mood. You even risk being stranded on the roadside as the computer commands to turn off the engine and avoid driving the car until the problem is solved.
But things are not always as bad as they may seem at first.
“Oil Pressure Engine Off” in Volkswagen cars means that the lubrication of the engine is insufficient. This may be due to low oil levels or issues with the sensors. Also, the turbocharger, crankcase ventilation valve, oil pump, and other important units may be in charge. The engine needs proper inspection if you ever see this message.
Here’s what I will cover in this article:
- How does your Volkswagen measure the oil pressure in the engine?
- Is “Oil Pressure Engine Off” a serious problem?
- What are the common reasons for this error message to pop up?
- What are the DIY fixes and when to go to professionals?
- Can you somehow drive when you see this message?
What do you need to know about oil pressure in Volkswagen?
The error message in question may pop up literally because the oil pressure is not sufficient. The first thought you may have in your mind is that you can use the manometer to check the actual pressure just by unscrewing the oil pressure sensor. But hold your horses, this is not the most common problem.
The oil pressure measuring system is pretty straightforward in all Volkswagen petrol and diesel engines. There is the sensor and it’s connected by wires to the ECU. Once the sensor reads low pressure, the ECU throws the message saying that the oil pressure is low. It also recommends you STOP, in most cases.
But why is the proper oil pressure so important? Here are several things to consider:
- without the proper pressure, the oil won’t flow through thin passages of the turbocharger and it may just die;
- also, the engine head will not be lubricated properly just because it’s located higher than the block;
- the poor pressure will not allow oil injectors to throw oil onto some important parts of a modern engine;
- the machine will start grinding and killing itself which it may do very quickly and successfully.
So, having proper oil pressure is vitally important for any Volkswagen engine. If you see this error message, you should stop the vehicle immediately. If you continue driving with the Low Oil Pressure alert, it’s very possible that the engine will die before your next stop.
Unfortunately, there are literally hundreds of reasons why engine oil pressure may go low in your Volkswagen vehicle, so it’s impossible to say for sure which part is malfunctioning in your car right now. But there are still the most common problems that should be checked first.
What are the reasons for the “Oil Pressure, Engine Off” message in VW?
Before we try to do something with this error, we need to understand its possible origin. Surprisingly, it’s not always the actual oil pressure. In many cases, the message pops up when there is an electrical failure or even a software issue (the latter is not that common though).
So, here are the possible culprits of this warning:
1. Low oil level
In about a third of cases, the low oil level will trigger this message. It’s not that hard to check. Just stop the vehicle immediately after you see this message, then let the engine sit for about 10-15 minutes. This time is needed for oil to flow back to the oil pan so that you could check the actual level.
After that, open the hood, take the dipstick out of the engine, and wipe it with a clean tissue. Then, insert the dipstick back into its place till the end and take it out immediately. Now look at the tip of the dipstick. The oil level should be between MIN and MAX marks.
If the dipstick is dry or the oil level is lower than MIN, you need to add some oil immediately. You may even add oil made by a different manufacturer but with the needed viscosity. Just don’t forget to change the oil once you have the chance.
2. Oil pressure sensor issues
The sensor is inserted into the engine block, so it’s attacked by heat all the time. If you install a non-OEM sensor, it may live a very short life and then just die. You will see the message on your dash without an actual problem with the oil level.
But what happens even more often is the wiring problem. The connector of the oil pressure sensor may get loose and you should pay attention to it before you replace the sensor.
Whenever you need a new sensor or a new connector, buy OEM Volkswagen parts. Otherwise, the durability is not guaranteed.
3. Oil pump problems
Usually, Volkswagen oil pumps are very durable and last longer than any engine can live. But sometimes, they may get affected by low oil quality, metal shaves, hard particles in oil, etc. If this happens, the oil pump may break and stop pumping oil. Naturally, this will immediately affect the oil pressure which will be zero.
Driving with such a problem is not allowed. Your vehicle will need to be towed to the garage or dealership and the oil pump will need to be replaced.
4. Crankcase ventilation system problem
This issue was common for Volkswagen engines decades ago and still, some units suffer from it. The problem is especially possible in winter when the temperatures fall below zero. The crankcase ventilation valve is a plastic crappy thing that may get clogged easily, especially in cold weather or when the oil is too viscose. This will lead to high pressure buildup in the crankcase and the oil will literally flow from any available hole.
The clear sign of this is the broken oil filter seal because of high pressure. Also, you may find lots of oil under the hood of your car and it probably was delivered there through the dipstick hole. If you see oil drops from the dipstick hole, it’s a clear sign that the crankcase ventilation valve is clogged and needs cleaning or replacement.
5. Engine with poor maintenance
If your engine hasn’t seen good maintenance for a long time, it’s not a surprise that it throws all these unpleasant warning lights and error messages on the dash. Your oil may have got too viscose or vice versa, the oil filter may have got dirty, and some passages may be clogged in the engine.
Such engines need proper cleaning, not just an oil change. If the contamination isn’t cleaned, the engine will keep failing. And quite often, the problem with the oil pressure happens just because you haven’t changed the oil and oil filter for years.
What should you do when you see “Oil Pressure, Engine Off”?
Whenever you see this message, you should stop your car immediately on the safe side of the road. After that, it’s important that you check the oil level as described above. Also, you may look at the engine and check if it’s contaminated with the oil. If yes, try to identify where this oil came from.
If the oil level is low, you shouldn’t drive further.
Wait for about 15 minutes till the engine cools down and try starting it. Let it idle for a while and see if the error message comes back. If not, you can start driving. Don’t ignore the message if it pops up again. In this case, you better call a tow truck and you will still have the chance to save the engine.
What may happen if you keep driving?
If you see the oil-pressure-related error message and don’t care about it, chances are that your engine may be fatally damaged in just several miles.
Here are the possible consequences:
- the turbocharger will be affected first because it’s super sensitive to bad lubrication;
- after that, your valves will start overheating due to bad lubrication and the head may heat too much;
- the overheated head may change its shape and the fluids will start coming out through the gasket;
- if things escalate even further, the pistons will start scratching the cylinder walls;
- these damages will eventually kill the engine and make its repair impossible or too expensive.
This will all end with turned rod bearings or just a stuck engine. When this happens, repairing the engine may cost you more than replacing it.
To wrap up
While some error messages and warning lights may be ignored without any consequences (like the one I wrote about in this article), the message about the problems with oil pressure should be treated with a certain level of attention. You should stop the vehicle, check the oil level, and see if there are other problems under the bonnet of your car.
If everything is OK, try driving the car and see if the problem never bothers you again. Even in such cases, you should have the vehicle inspected once you have time and possibility to do that. If oil pressure falls sharply, it may kill your Volkswagen engine even if it’s new.
You may also want to read my recent article about the common problems with the 1.0 MPI engines from Volkswagen.
Any questions? You may ask them in the comments below!