Hi,
I've just noticed that the oil light on my 93 V8 discovery flickers when idling after long journeys (30 min or so).
It also takes 3 or 4 seconds to go out when starting from cold.
the milage is about 128K.
would it be an oil pump issue? and is it worth replacing the pump gears as a matter of course?
Cheers.

 

Yeah, the oil pump could be on it's way out. Maybe try switching to a thicker oil to keep the pressure up until you get the pump replaced. My mechanic suggested Engine Restore and Rotella T 15w-40 until I got the pump in my old Dodge replaced..but I hit a guardrail a week later, so it didn't matter.

 

Yes, it is most likely pump wear causing this problem but just don't jump into a pump overhaul till you at least check the oil pressure cold at idle and 2000 RPM's and at operating temp at idle and 2000 RPMs.
It may not be the pump but a really plugged up pick up tube.

 

I am thinking clogged oil return passages.
At higher RPM all the oil is being pumped into the upper part of the engine and it cannot return to the sump quick enough.
Do a oil pressure test, and if that is good then do a engine flush.

 

OK Thanks, I'll get and oil pressure test done.
How could I do it myself?
Cheers

 

Yes youi can do it yourself, I dont know where you live, I know its not here in the US, but here most autoparts stores rent tools including oil pressure gauges.
The oil pressure sending unit is right above the oil filter.

 

so its quite an easy hook up to the electrical sensor then?

Im in the UK.

Cheers.

 

No, you remove the factory sensor and thread in a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

 

I've asked several tool hire (rent) shops whether they had mechanical gauges to rent and none of them did. I phoned around a few garages and they didn't seem to have any but I'll try a few more tomorrow.
you can't get jack **** in the UK!

 

Maybe you could phone a Rover Dealer...perhaps the service and repair department might have one.