I’ve got a concern about the red oil light. I live up in the mountains and regularly drive into the city, which is a few thousand feet below. When I drive back up and pull into my driveway, the red oil light turns on. My driveway is a bit steep, but not much more steep, if at all, than other parts of the drive. I’ve got plenty of oil and it’s looking fine. The car feels good and warm and I can smell the engine’s heat a bit when I’ve parked, stepped out of the vehicle and walked in front of it.

I’m worried about this and don’t know what to do. There aren’t any engine fault codes other than P0441, which is probably a separate issue regarding EVAP - I ordered a purge valve to replace the existing one to try to eliminate that issue (I need to run a smog check soon).

Any ideas about the red oil light? As soon as I’ve seen it come on, I’ve been able to turn off the vehicle. I haven’t seen it turn on during normal driving anywhere else.

Hoping this isn’t the big one

 

Pardon my silly question, but... Are you checking the engine oil on level ground?

 

Not a silly question at all - I was concerned about the oil level, so I made sure to park in a part of the driveway that’s somewhat level. I added a good amount of oil and it appeared to be OK. I can check again tomorrow, but I’ll need to start the car and move it quickly then shut it off to check, which won’t be the most accurate check.

 

Ok.
When was the last time you changed the oil and filter?
Also... you can check your oil pressure switch connection here... V8 oil pressure switch location.

 

You say your driveway is no more steep than other parts of your drive home, but I expect your engine is running much more slowly when you pull in your driveway. Just a hunch, but maybe that's why the oil pressure light comes on only when you arrive home. And as for checking the oil level when the truck is level, why not check it when you're down the mountain in the "city" before you drive home, whichever city that is?

 

I just had the oil light scare on my 03
if you haven’t changed out your oil pump and front housing please get those done ASAP
my 03 has 130,000 kilometres and still had original
I was lucky not to blow my engine

 

Oil level seems fine, maybe a bit overfilled if anything. I made sure to test on semi-level ground. I can check down in the city next time too. The oil looks clean. It’s still about 1,500 miles off from where I’d change it. I’m using 5W30 oil. I’ll have to figure out what the pickup tube is in order to clean it. Next time it happens I can try to turn the engine off and then on again to see if the light will still be on. I’m not sure how to test oil pressure. Still learning a lot here.

I don’t know much about the oil pump in these vehicles except about the failure that occurs in the 2003 engine... I’m assuming it’s not that.

If i work on the oil pump, will a gear repair kit likely suffice?

Thanks everyone. I’m worried about this.

 

You need a new oil pump and front cover
it’s a fairly big job
this is where I would start

look on the Atlantic British web site for the oil pump video install. Doug explains

 

How long have you had this truck? 5w30 is pretty thin for one of these... why did you choose that? Do you live in Greenland permafrost?

Switch to 15w40 and see if your oil light still comes on.

 

definitely do the above. 5w30 is too thin for these engines unless you live very far north and it is cold all the time.