So I bought an '03 discovery and after about a week of seeing the oil light flickering I took her in for service thanks to some threads i read on here....

In the 2 weeks they had it they replaced: Crank Bearings, Rod Bearings, Oil Pump, rear main seal, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, motor mounts, crank shaft sensor, and flex plate. They also put the oil pan, and head cover in the cleaner and got them looking new.

So after they pretty much rebuilt my motor the oil light is flickering after less than 100 miles... Could this be a bad oil pressure sensor? I wouldn't think that after all that work and all that money I spent (even though I'm a dealership employee and got it all at $30/hr) there would still be low oil pressure, right?

Someone please help me here, I'm getting a little worried I just spent a lot for nothing.

 

Have whoever did the work check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. It could be the sender but that's not something to guess about. With all the work they did to it they should stand behind it.

 

An oil pressure test both for the pump and sensor should have been done before they decided to take all your money.
An in the future if the oil light flickers, don't drive it for a few weeks before having someone look at it.

 

In addition to all they did, the oil flow into the valve train can drop the PSI as well, if rocker arms are worn. But do a mechanical PSI test for sure, you can buy or rent (?) a gauge.

 

replace the oil pressure sensor
If it is flickering, then the sensor is opening/closing fast.
Put in a new one which is not as worn and see how that goes.
If the flicker goes away, then you'll feel a lot better.
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Then - check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge too.
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If the mechanical gauge says the pressure is low - then back to the shop.

After all that work, engine is probably fine.
Most of the pressure is lost in the rod and crank bearings and in a faulty oil pump.
So, they did the correct fixings.

Probably just a bad sensor.
Those do go bad.

Usually a flickering sensor is bad as the hysteresis curve is incorrect after age and miles.

 

So, I'm going to talk to the tech today, but just wanted to add this in, It flickers once its hot. it wont flicker for the first few minutes while its warming up.

I really hope he says to just replace that and be done with it.

 

Oil pressure always runs lower when hot which would explain that.

 

Phillips,
I have done all of the same repairs you have done and even the new sender that you are going to do and when I am at hot idle my digital guage still reads low but I have not had my factory warning light come on in a while. I was wondering if you have any update on your fix?

 

There have been a number of posts about aftermarket gauges not giving a true reading, so IMHO one step would be to test with mechanical gauge to eliminate possibility of a gauge sender that is out of calibration.

 

You have replaced the sensor for the indicator light on the dash?

Yes or no?

Would strongly advise replacing the sensor - period.

Remember those clickers that come on pop corn boxes?
Your kid gets the clicker - presses in on the metal - it deflects and then a loud click.
This is how the oil sensor works.

When it wears, the click is easier to produce with less pressure.
Just replace it.