Weird niggles

[The Hoff]

Yesterday got in the car to go home, hadn't used it for 7 hours and was greeted by a SERV light stating i had no oil, b****cks i thought so i looked under the car, and there was no oil leak. So i dip sticked it, and it was right on the minimum mark (had oil change planned for this weekend as i knew it was low).

On arriving back home i popped over the halfords, were now my digital readout was quoting 000--- half full. I knew this may have been down to expansion of the existing oil. Anyway i bought a litre of Mobil1 and stuck that in it to see me through to the weekend. And i also bought some readymixed summer coolant as that too was a little low, again im going to completely refill that over the weekend.

Question being, im now starting to wonder is the digital reader sensor is prone to ringing alarm bells? I know it gives you a fair old warning but it seemed a little OTT to go from 000--- to ------.

The other thing is this morning, and the last few days my car is turning over a little longer before starting, so im starting to think my spark plugs maybe on the way out, any other causes apart from a dodgy coilpack?

 

[Tighten My Nuts]

I've found the dashboard oil guage is very sensitive to gradients...the slightest slope means I can go from oooooo to ooo--- in 5 mins.

Might have been that?

 

[Frasers Cup]

I would be very careful with this. I had exactly the same problem with my 172 cup and it was because the mechanics at my dealership hadnt done the sump plug up properly at the bottom of the engine at the last service. You wouldnt see any oil leaking out until the plug falls out completely as there is a big undertray under the sump. I noticed it first when my car was using more oil than I expected. This was due to the sump plug gradually unwinding itself under the car and releasing the oil slowly over time. It took 6k+ miles from the last service for it to undo completely and fall out.

I'd get down on your hands and knees (You love it ive heard ) and undo the plastic plug cover on the undertray and check for any oil residue. Its a very easy thing to do and saves what happened to me. i.e Driving along at 30mph as the sump plug falls out completely and you get loads of nice blue smoke :|

 

[The Hoff]

Aye, ill check it this evening, getting a jack under my car is a struggle now days.

Anybody experience of the longevity of the spark plugs?

 

[Steve]

Silly? but how do you get to see oil level?

Mrs scenic turn on press button get 000000, my 172 goes back to miles????

 

[The Hoff]

Turn on car, when you get the 'Oil OK' displayed, press the trip reset button on the speedo and it will display oil levels. As you've read though, its a guide so dipstick is infinitely better.

 

[Steve]

I was pressing the mutifunction button on stalk!!!!!!!!

Idiot!

 

[The Hoff]

Yes you are

 

[LSmith89]

Same sorta thing happened with my 1.2, it got serviced at halfords and all the oil rained out and fucked the engine right over, happened within a few days tho an halfords stuck a new engine in it for me, wahey.