Low-Oil light at idle.

[c0smo kram3r]

Vehicle: 2004 Disco
Oil & Filter: Rotella T 15w-40 (Conventional) & K&N HP-3001
Miles: 86,XXX (just changed oil/filter about 2k miles ago)

Anyways, took a 120mi road trip last night. Checked oil & coolant levels before I left, and they were fine. Was running at around 75 (~2700 RPMs) and everything looked/sounded fine. Ok, I hit a stop light & while idling, the low oil light came on (flickering). Took off at green, went away. Then when I got into town, with bad traffic, the light actually stayed on for a little while in very stop & go traffic. Soon as I was able to give it some gas, it went away.

So, any suggestions? I did a quick search, but the results that came up were referencing a D1.

 

[KyleT]

has the engine ever been replaced in your truck?

several things can cause the light, a clogged pan pickup, a faulty pressure switch, or the wiring being goofed up.

the only way to tell if it is actually low is to hook an old fashioned gauge up to it.

worn bearings, a oil pump going are also things that can cause low oil pressure.

 

[c0smo kram3r]

has the engine ever been replaced in your truck?

several things can cause the light, a clogged pan pickup, a faulty pressure switch, or the wiring being goofed up.

the only way to tell if it is actually low is to hook an old fashioned gauge up to it.

worn bearings, a oil pump going are also things that can cause low oil pressure.

No, it has not.
That was going to be my next add-on--an oil pressure gauge.

I wish I would have thought about it at the time, but I didn't roll down my window to listen for knocking.

 

[D Chapman]

Probably the oil pan pick up screen clogged. Typically when the sensor fails, it fails completely, grounds out, and the oil light stays on all the time.

Drop the pan and take a peep. Use Right Stuff when you put it back on.

 

[KyleT]

Probably the oil pan pick up screen clogged. Typically when the sensor fails, it fails completely, grounds out, and the oil light stays on all the time.

yeah i would tend to agree, but i have seen it happen.

I have also seen the top blow off causing a crazy oil leak... that happened on mine...

 

[c0smo kram3r]

yeah i would tend to agree, but i have seen it happen.

I have also seen the top blow off causing a crazy oil leak... that happened on mine...

well, I probably won't have time to drop the pan until Saturday. Should I just drive another car until then, or do you guys think it would be safe to drive the disco?

 

[DiscoGirl4x4]

I'm going to say no way .. don't drive it at all untill you do some checking on it, especially if you have an alternative source of transportation. It could be a simple sensor or it maybe a failing pump / front cover.

Then install an aftermarket gauge, it's cheap and easy and the only way to know the true oil pressure before an issue arises.

 

[BackInA88]

Probably the oil pan pick up screen clogged. Typically when the sensor fails, it fails completely, grounds out, and the oil light stays on all the time.

Drop the pan and take a peep. Use Right Stuff when you put it back on.

Are saying use the Right Stuff instead of the OEM gasket or just on the front and rear cover seams?


Steve

 

[robertf]

right stuff only, no gasket.

 

[dave_lucas]

While you have the pan off check the bolts that mount the pickup tube to the block. I have had 3 rovers that the bolts have come loose on and did exactly what you described.

As others have said do not drive it unless you want to replace the motor

 

[BackInA88]

right stuff only, no gasket.

So there is no issue on the Bosch engine not using the OEM gasket that have the steel spacers molded in and the bolts going into the bell housing lining up?

 

[ptschram]

On DIIs, it is critical to use the oil pan gasket as it is not designed to seal without it.

I've had to run a new wire for oil pressure sender circuits on a half-dozen DIIs, but these all failed open circuit.

 

[robertf]

damn, I just failed the d1/d2 test. we need seperate sections

 

[jeffro0502]

Can the pickup get clogged even if you've changed oil consistently throughout the life of the truck at 3K with good oil and filter? I'm at 107K on my 03 and have not have this problem yet.

 

[Wasatch Disco]

How hard is it to clean the pickup. Are there any crossmembers or other BS to get in the way when you drop the pan?

 

[no694terry]

i have the same issue that started today, light flickering at idle. a week ago i put some lucas stop leak in it and now i have no oil pressure. probably just coincidence. i also read that the oil cooler could be clogged. i already ordered a new pan gasket and when it gets in ill be pulling the pan and replacing oil cooler with an aftermarket. about half an hour ago i replaced oil filter to see it make it clogged but i changed oil and filter 1k miles ago so i didnt tink thet would be it, wishful thinking i guess. oil filter was not the problem

 

[QuickSilver]

i have the same issue that started today, light flickering at idle. a week ago i put some lucas stop leak in it and now i have no oil pressure. probably just coincidence. i also read that the oil cooler could be clogged. i already ordered a new pan gasket and when it gets in ill be pulling the pan and replacing oil cooler with an aftermarket. about half an hour ago i replaced oil filter to see it make it clogged but i changed oil and filter 1k miles ago so i didnt tink thet would be it, wishful thinking i guess. oil filter was not the problem

:banghead: :ack: :thehand:

 

[ptschram]

For the love of God.

Please, everybody use your snake oil carefully!

I'll be the first to suggest one use Lucas Stop-Leak in their steering systems where if it doesn't work, you're gonna have to replace it anyway, but for an engine, the time, expense and pain are so much greater that we should tread very carefully.

Engine leaks are really pretty easy to resolve by simple disassembly, cleaning and reassembly with new gaskets, whereas steering leaks are often due to irreparably wear to sealing/rotating surfaces, thus justifying last ditch efforts to eke out another month or two of service until one can afford repairs or the weather improves!

Terry:
I'm sorry you've encountered this problem. Good luck. Whatever you do, please stop running your truck with low oil pressure until you can pull the pan, clean any crud in the pan and change the oil.

FWIW-I've had a couple of Rovers with little to no oil pressure at idle and they were in pretty good shape when I tore them down. My newer '88 RRC had a freaking cam bearing in the oil pan and once it got above about 1500 RPMs, it had great oil pressure! The bearing clearance on that one had to be almost 1/8"!

OTOH, I had an '04 DII in the shop that once it got running had great oil pressure, but the crank is so badly worn it can't be turned to acceptable undersize dimension to allow for use of Rover rod bearings. my fantasy is to have it ground to use Honda rod bearings and SBC-inspired rods. Talk about a "Someday" project!