Stop light ?! Oil leak ?!

[Chris1.4RT]

I was driving up a slight incline today and when I was getting near the top the STOP and handbrake light came on.

Went off after about ten seconds. Hasn't yet come back on despite going up a similar incline.

Got home and research on here found out possibly brake fluid. Checked that, all good as there's fluid inside the neck of the bottle.

I've taken off all fours wheels to check the pads properly. All pads are fine. The backsides of the front discs have slight unworn parts towards the centre of the discs and towards the outer edges.

Now, looking at the rest of the engine bay, I can see an are just below the right hand side of the engine cover where there's some dirt. Looking closer it looks oily and I can see about a tablespoon size amount of oil has collected in a recess. I'd take the cover off to have a proper look but a while back I've chewed one of the torx screws to bits!

Is this where the oil pump is?

Is this likely to cause the stop light to come on?

Am I looking at big bucks if it's the oil pump?

The digital oil level says 0 0 _ _ _ _, the dipstick was reading just above the minimum so I've topped it up a bit. now it's on 0 0 0 0 _ _.

Here's some pics.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[TomTom]

Common to leak where your first pictures show - below the plenum on the cam cover gasket, quite an expensive fix (cambelt) todo, and as its superficial most 172/182 owners don't bother getting it sorted.

Don't trust the digital oil level gauge aswell, make sure the cars on flat ground, and just use the normal dipstick. I'd get the oil on the max mark, double check your brake fluid level again and see how it goes personally.
Worth checking your oil filter isn't leaking, and your sump plug aswell whilst your at it.

Clios will put the light on because they have a sensor in the brake fluid bottle, rather than pad wear wires, as you can imagine when your cornering/going up hill, all goes to one end of the bottle, light goes on. Like when your giving it the large one round corners and your fuel light comes on, but you've actually go a few gallons left

You can pick up a torx screw from Renault for the engine cover if thats the cover you mean, don't 'think' there expensive.

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Can anyone confirm this? edde? My cambelt isn't due yet as I'm only on 3.5 years, 40k. Besides, I'm mega skint.

The light's never come on even if I've broken hard or cornered hard. It came on today when I was driving dead casual up a very slight incline. The fluid is more than at max level.

As for the torx screw, it's chewed up so I can't unscrew it.

Cheers.

 

[TomTom]

I'd save your money mate, the leaks only very slight its a common problem, characteristic of the car.

Didn't mean to scare you lol

 

[Chris1.4RT]

I'll try to have a word with edde, his pm box is full.

You didn't scare me mate it's ok, I'm used to hassle from cars!

I'll just have to go easy an keep an eye on the oil.

Cheers.

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Anyone else give a second opinion?

Cheers.

 

[bmh.01]

It seems to happen to quite a few, I wouldn't bother with it unless it really bothers and you can do it yourself as the cambelt has to come off as the rocket covers forms the top of the bearing shells for the camshafts so the cambelt has to come off the stop to camshafts flying out when you take the cam cover off.

I'd leave it until you need to do the cambelt personally if its not that bad.

 

[edde]

As Tom said not much you can do a proper fix isn't cheap its a long job unless your keeping the car 15 years its chaper to keep filling it will oil.

It has been known for people to just torque the nuts up a bit more but the risk of threading them isn't worth it IMO.

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Ok cheers guys.

That's put my mind at ease a little.

I've topped it to the max today and I'll just have to keep an eye on it. Cambelt isn't due until end of next year by age and the rate I do miles.

Car doesn't seem down on power or anything.

Just a bit bemused as to why the STOP and handbrake light came on. Never come on before and my brake fluid and pads/discs seem fine.

Cheers for the input.

 

[Munchkin]

Mine is going in for the same leak tomorrow. Fortunately I've got 1 month left on my warranty so they can change the lot and foot the bill!

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Dunno if they'd tell you but ask them how much it would of cost (if you can) please.

Cheers.