Volkswagen: VW Passat 1998 Oil indicator light malfunction?, connecting rod bearings, new car rates

Question
QUESTION: Hi Robert:

I have a 4-cyl 1.8T Passat 1998. A couple of days back, the wife was driving it to work when the oil level indicator light came on suddenly (the car was not due for an oil change for at least another 600 miles). Being a woman (I know this could get me in trouble!), she decides to get to her workplace (about 10 miles away) and when she is about a mile from work, the car just stalls on her.

I had it towed to the workshop and turns out that the gasket on the 'thing' that connects the oil filter to the engine block had blown and all the oil had leaked (when the engine is turned on). Anyway, I had that replaced and the engine (thank god!) purrs with no ticks or any unseemly noises. However, the oil level indicator light comes on when I am driving at around 2000 rpm (1800-2200) and goes off when I rev the engine up. What could this be? An indicator light malfunction? Connecting rod bearings issue? Main bearings issue? Needless to say, I am not ready at this time to start looking at new car rates - not yet.

Help

-sundar

ANSWER: The light is an oil pressure light, not level.  It's possible that some damage was done to the oil pump.  I'd have someone check the oil pressure both hot and cold and at various RPMs.  Oil pressure is always higher at higher RPMs and when the oil is cold.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Robert. So, would it be safe to say that there was no engine damage as a result of the event itself?

Also, do you think that the connecting rod bearings or main bearings need to be checked too?

Answer
Hard to say.  VW bearings are tight so they hold oil a long time.  However, without oil flow, they can overheat.  If it ends up being the pump, your mechanic should pull a few ends while the oil pan is off.  It could also be just that the sump screen got covered with coked oil.  I'd have it loked at, or you may eventually damage the top end.