VW Fox Diesel: Oil Pressure Crisis and Engine Knocking

Having dealt with a similar issue on my 2012 VW Polo diesel, I can share my experience as someone with moderate car repair knowledge. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered, oil pressure warning light and engine knocking sounds, despite correct engine oil levels. After getting multiple warning signals, I decided not to risk driving the car and had it towed to the workshop. The diagnosis revealed a defective oil pump, which was causing inconsistent oil pressure throughout the engine. The repair included: Replacing the oil pump, New oil filter, Complete oil change, System pressure testing Total cost came to 755€ including parts and labor. This is definitely not an issue to ignore, as inadequate oil pressure can cause severe engine damage very quickly. The knocking sounds suggest the engine might already be running with insufficient lubrication. Before offering more specific advice, could you share: Current mileage on your Fox, How long has the warning light been appearing, Whether the knocking sound is constant or intermittent, Any recent oil changes or maintenance history This information would help determine if your situation is similar to what I experienced and whether immediate action is needed.

After my regular maintenance at 37391km, I started noticing these symptoms. Got it checked and it turned out to be a faulty oil pressure sensor combined with a partially blocked oil pump. Low oil pressure was definitely the core issue. The repair included: New oil pressure sensor, Oil pump replacement, Fresh engine oil, New filter Total repair cost was 680€. Workshop confirmed driving it there could have caused major engine damage, so towing was the right call. Oil pump failure can happen suddenly, and those knocking sounds were a clear warning sign. The engine now runs smoothly with proper oil pressure readings. Currently monitoring oil pressure closely during first startup and regular driving. No warning lights or unusual sounds since the fix.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. Glad you got it sorted before any serious engine bearing damage occurred. The symptoms and repair costs align closely with what I encountered on my Fox. The faulty oil pressure sensor combined with oil pump issues seems to be a somewhat common failure point in these engines around the 35-40k km mark. When my oil pressure warning appeared, the repair shop found similar issues, clogged oil passages in the pump and a failing sensor giving incorrect readings. Since your repair, its smart to keep monitoring the oil pressure. I did the same for about 2000km after my fix. Also learned to be more proactive with oil changes, now doing them slightly ahead of schedule to prevent any oil filter clogged conditions that could stress the pump. For anyone else reading with similar symptoms: the knocking sounds combined with oil pressure warnings absolutely require immediate attention. The repair cost is much better than risking complete engine failure from running with low oil pressure. Have you noticed any difference in engine noise at cold starts since the repair? My Fox became noticeably quieter, especially during the first few seconds of operation.

Definitely seeing an improvement in overall engine performance since the repairs. The cold starts are much smoother and quieter now, completely different from the concerning knocks and rattles I was hearing before. The oil pressure gauge shows steady readings, even during warm-up. I agree about being proactive with maintenance. Already scheduled my next oil change earlier than the manual suggests. Not taking any chances with low oil pressure issues again. The workshop explained how important proper oil flow is for preventing premature engine wear. Looking back, getting it towed instead of driving to the shop was worth every penny. Learning that oil pump failure can cause complete engine destruction really put the repair costs in perspective. 680€ might seem steep, but its far cheaper than needing a full engine replacement. For reference, these were the exact warning signs that indicated serious trouble: Oil pressure warning light coming on, Engine knocking sounds getting progressively worse, Inconsistent oil pressure readings, Rough running, especially at idle Anyone seeing similar symptoms should definitely get their car checked immediately. Sometimes an oil pressure sensor might be the simple fix, but its not worth risking more serious issues.