Seeing the “Engine oil pressure low” on a Ford Fiesta can be an unpleasant experience. This a serious warning that needs immediate attention. oil pressure is essential for the engine to run properly.
In this article, I am going to explain what causes the engine oil pressure low warning to come on, and what you can do about it before any serious damage occurs.
Let’s get to it.
What Does Engine Oil Pressure Low Mean on a Ford Fiesta?
When you see the “Engine oil pressure low” warning in your instrument cluster, it means that there is a problem with the engine’s oil system.
The ECU has detected that the oil pressure is below a certain level and is trying to tell you that something needs to be fixed quickly.
Oil pressure on your Fiesta engine is created when the oil pump forces the oil through the engine faster than it can flow on its own, which causes it to become pressurized.
This pressure is essential for lubricating the engine properly and preventing damage to the bearings, pistons, and other parts.
The oil pump is what forces the oil through your Fiesta engine, so if something goes wrong with this system, you will have low oil pressure.
What Causes Low Oil Pressure on a Ford Fiesta?
Now, let’s look at what may be the cause for the “engine oil pressure low” on your Fiesta.
Low engine oil pressure can be caused by a variety of issues, but as an auto technician, I see two primary causes of low oil pressure on a Ford Fiesta:
1. Clogged Oil Pump
The most common cause of low engine oil pressure on a fiesta especially the Ecoboost engine is a blocked oil pump.
The oil pump is the heart of your engine, and it circulates oil throughout the system. If there’s a clog in the oil pump, this can cause low pressure.
The most common culprits are debris from an improper oil change job or metal shavings left over from wear on the bearings or piston rings.
If your oil pump becomes clogged with sludge and other contaminants, it can’t pass the necessary amount of lubricant through your engine.
This means that not only will you have low oil pressure but also a high chance of internal engine damage.
2. Bad Timing Belt
Another common cause of low engine oil pressure on a Ford Fiesta is a broken or poorly maintained timing belt.
The timing belt is a crucial component of your engine, as it controls how the valves open and close in relation to the piston movement.
If this belt breaks or becomes stretched out due to wear and tear, the engine oil pressure will be low and you will lose power in the process.
Unfortunately from my experience, these car timing belt is prone to become wet and rusty, especially if the car is driven on a regular basis.
This causes the belt to break or become stretched out due to wear and tear, which can lead to low engine oil pressure as well as poor performance.
Other Possible Causes of Low oil pressure on a Fiesta
The main causes of low engine oil pressure is a bad/clogged oil pump or worn timing belt.
However, there are other things that can cause the same problem, such as:
Faulty Oil Pressure Switch
The oil pressure switch on your Ford Fiesta is designed to turn on the oil pressure light when the engine’s oil level drops below a specific level.
It can also be used as a warning system for low engine oil pressure, which is what happens if the switch malfunctions and gives false warnings.
Dirty Engine Oil and Filter
The engine oil and filter in your fiesta need to be changed regularly.
If they are dirty, the oil may not be able to keep up with the amount of friction in the engine. This can cause low engine oil pressure.
How to Fix and Reset ford fiesta “Engine Oil Pressure Low” warning
Now, that I have explained what this means, and the main causes of this warning, let’s look at how to fix and reset Ford Fiesta’s “Engine Oil Pressure Low” warning. Here are the steps to do so:
1. Check and Replace the Engine Oil Pump
The first thing I recommend is to check and replace the engine oil pump. This is a very common cause of this warning, so it is worth checking first.
If the oil pump is clogged/blocked then it will not be able to pump the oil through the engine.
This can cause low pressure and also result in damage to your engine as a whole.
2. Replace the Timing Belt
If the oil pump is working as it should then you will need to replace the timing belt. This is a common failure point on these cars and can result in low-pressure warnings being triggered.
I recommend taking your car to any Ford dealer or independent garage that specializes in Ford cars. They will be able to diagnose the issue and repair your car for you.
Additional Sources
https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/what-is-oil-pressure
https://www.autozone.com/diy/motor-oil/symptoms-of-a-bad-oil-pump
https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/115614-ford-fiesta-2016-ecoboost-oil-pump-problem/
I have a ford fiesta 1.5 diesel. I get this warning light come on when the car is being driven up hill in a higher gear it should be (I’m a driving instructor so happens quite a lot!). Dropping a gear or foot off the gas will take the warning light off. This fault has been happening from when the car was purchased from new, so seems to eliminate the wear and tear argument. As my car has now done 108,000 miles I think a new belt and check of the pump is necessary to prevent a major problem!