'Tapping' sound & oil pressure gauge / indicator

[318touring]

The car is RoW 2003 C4 Tip, 67000kms, I thought I heard some tapping sound and unsure whether it was normal.

So went to start the car today, surprisingly the oil pressure gauge stayed at 0. Then after putting my seat-belt on, the 'oil-can' failure indicator showed up.

Oil level is fine, I've checked and checked again.

Coolant level is fine and not contaminated.

No leak whatsoever from the bottom.

I've got AA to come and have a look. Started the car again and got 3.5 on the gauge, it was steady and not fluctuating. He thinks it might be the gauge but suggested to bring it to the garage.

Already got an appointment for tomorrow morning at the dealer where I bought the car from.

I managed to record some sound of the car which I'd appreciate if the experts here can offer their opinions on. It was taken facing the right side of the engine bay, just above the drive belt.

I've also attached the picture of the indicator(s) misbehaving.

Edited April 6, 2011 by 318touring

[whall]

Ity looks like you have a bad oil pressure transmitter....not an uncommmon problem. In the philosophy of the Porsche engineers, the oil pressure gauge is an "accessory"; the oil pressure idiot light is the real warning device. If you note in your owner's manual, there is a distinct difference in the appropriate steps to be taken vis-a-vis the two indications. BTW, an oil pressure idiot light illumination is recorded and can be displayed (and re-set) with a PST2 or PIWIS. The failure of the transmitter is not recorded, except on a bill written up by the shop that changes the transmitter.

The oil pressure transmitter is relatively easy to change....read, not very time consuming. The "oil pressure switch" (996.606.203.00) costs $53.16 MSRP.

As to the noise, I'll leave that diagnosis to an expert.

Bill

Edited April 6, 2011 by whall

[coleta]

Whall, where's this display and reset found on the tools?

[whall]

Whall, where's this display and reset found on the tools?

A low oil pressure event (idiot light illuminated) is logged in the DME and can only be displayed and/or reset with a PST2,a PIWIS or, possibly, a Durametric program.

Unfortunately, I have no operational expertise/experience with the operation of any of these systems other than to have seen a fault displayed and subsequently reset on a MY03 Boxster.

Bill

[coleta]

thanks

[318touring]

Thanks for the feedback. Dropped the car off yesterday morning but it wouldn't get a look at until this morning.

Driving around in a 2 litre Audi A3 diesel as a loaner from the dealer. Man! That thing spins its front wheel all the time.

Will let you all know what's the verdict.

[RFM]

The fault warning (lamp/text) on 318touring car is stored in first place in "Combi instrument" memory and can be reset by PIWIS, however, the warning is also stored invisible in the DME but become visible when running a "Vehicle analysis" on line in case of engine troubles - time and duration.