Engine Warning Light - Loose Oil cap

[ChrisN53]

All,

Quick question. Z4 3.0Si running poorly at idle (inconsistent revs, jumping up and down), but driving absolutely fine, and in the tachometer an amber engine shaped warning lights appears. The oil cap wasn't closed properly, once it was, the car seemed to idle fine and after a drive the amber engine line disappeared. Could the loose oil cap be the cause of this? Like I said, once it was properly closed, the car idled without issue. But I'm not sure how just a loose oil cap could trigger this warning light? What is the actual definition of the engine shaped amber/orangey outline in the rev gauge?

Thanks guys, appreciate any help.

Chris.

 

[firebobby]

On some engines if you take the oil filler cap off and the revs drop, it can indicate a worn engine, it used to be a test back in the day. How many miles has yours done and is the service history good, I don't know to much about these engines and it may be that they need the back pressure in the crank to help them run better. If it's now running sweet again, it could be that it was lacking engine pressure and all's well, I hope this is the case.

 

[ChrisN53]

Thanks for your input.

48k miles and serviced to schedule. I believe it was just a temporary issue, just wanted confirmation of what that specific light means and to know if anyone else has encountered this issue!

 

[firebobby]

Thanks for your input.

48k miles and serviced to schedule. I believe it was just a temporary issue, just wanted confirmation of what that specific light means and to know if anyone else has encountered this issue!

Well your engine sounds like it's fine then, the warning light sounds like the engine management and it was telling you that something was not right ..... your filler cap was loose.
I would just drive and enjoy it, as you say, it's running fine now

 

[Smartbear]

Yes, a loose oil filler can cause this, it upsets the engine breather set up and can trigger an air leak/weak mixture fault code.
Regards

 

[stupot67]

Yes, a loose oil filler can cause this, it upsets the engine breather set up and can trigger an air leak/weak mixture fault code.
Regards

As Smartbear says, the extra un metered air entering the inlet via the crank case vent system throws lean burn errors on one or both banks of cylinders - done exactly the same on mine after not shutting the oil filler properly after a top up.

Stu.

 

[ChrisN53]

Thank you guys, really appreciate the info!