Low oil pressure

[paulgregory10]

Hi I have been getting a low oil pressure message after changing oil filter MAHLE original could not get a Citroen one as my local dealer is now 30 miles away. Have also removed the sump and cleaned out the oil pick up pipe. Which filter do I need for my c4 picasso VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] or could it be the oil pressure switch. Thanks Paul.

[xantia_v6]

Have you taken the filter out again to check that it is sitting correctly and that the drain valve underneath it is closing?

[GiveMeABreak]

Here you go:

You have 2 choices, an OEM original filter, part: 1109AY, priced £15.66
or an OEM cheaper alternative, part: 1680233480, priced £7.96

All direct from Citroen and VAT inclusive as of today.

[wheeler]

Have a look down the middle hole on the filter & check that the plastic cross in the middle is not broken. This happens even on the genuine filters & causes low oil pressure warnings. Usually happens within a day or 2 of replacing the filter.

[paulgregory10]

Have checked filter looks good but I had heard non genuine filters can cause this. I have just ordered a genuine filter will try that thanks again Marc for the reference.

[paulgregory10]

How do you check if the drain valve is closing i thought you just had to check the filter was inserted correctly. Is the filter cover supposed tobe spring loaded aswell as I've seen this on some models

[Michel]

I used to know a Paul Gregory in Accrington about 30 years ago who was into Citroëns. It's not you is it?

[paulgregory10]

no Michael used to be in Stoke on Trent not Accrington but I do like my Citroen's

[Michel]

no Michael used to be in Stoke on Trent not Accrington but I do like my Citroen's

I recall 3 of us all 17 or 18 changing the gearbox on his BX14RE in his dad's little garage one weekend, not really having a clue other than a Haynes manual! We did it though.

[paulgregory10]

New oil filter arrived but has no cross in the middle either hope it solves the problem

[paulgregory10]

Hi Marc what is item 6 in your diagram

[paulgregory10]

Still no luck low oil pressure at idle

[xantia_v6]

Item 6 is the oil to water heat exchanger (oil cooler) which is fitted to some engines, while others have a blanking plate in its place, depending on engine specification.

[paulgregory10]

Thanks for info I have got the unit on my car looks like there is a gasket which might need changing.

[white exec]

The gasket under the oil-water heat exchanger (the 'box') will show if it has failed, either by leaking oil or coolant to the outside world, or by allowing engine oil to get injected into the cooling system. If neither of these things are occurring, the gasket will be ok.

I think some of us wondered about the snugness of fit of the oil filter cartridge, but, thinking about it, even if the filter element was completely absent it would not cause oil pressure to drop, or show as low.
I think you said that the low pressure alert had appeared aftr you had changed the filter. Is it possiboe that you accidentally disturbed some wiring, or that the oil-pressure switch received a knock, or just failed? Might be worth looking into that, and replacing the pressure switch. Does the low pressure warning extinguish if you rev the engine slightly fast when the engine is cold? This would be when oil pressure would be at its highest.