My oil pressure light just started flickering at idle so I clearly have an issue and I'd appreciate some suggestions in finding the cause.

This is on my older engine. I'd guess about 150k. The oil pump is less than three months old but I have had some struggles with this engine.

The lead up is three months ago I did some work on it including a new oil pump and timing chain. A couple of weeks ago I replaced the oil pressure sensor. On Christmas Eve I was on my way to Academy for some last minute gifts and I heard something flip up under the truck. Nothing really loud... Could have been trash or a stick. At the next light an alarming cloud of smoke enveloped me and after a moment of denial I realized it was coming from my truck. I figured it was coolant. Pulled into the next parking lot with way too much pedal and found that my transmission cooler line was cut. I was stuck. I wasted no time calling for a tow. It was a flatbed and I tipped the guy 25 bucks because of the season so he put my truck right up my driveway he had to use the engine for about ten seconds to turn the wheel because I had parked badly at the parking lot. I had an extra transmission line in the garage, put it on, filled it up, and got ready for my victory lap. Except when I started the engine, the oil light was solid on.

I shut down immediately and checked my one week old oil. The level was good, the color was good. I changed it anyway, using a wix filter (it had a wix filter on it) and when I prepared to pour the new oil in, I found that my oil cap was loose. Filled. Tightened. Started. Now the oil light flickers at idle and goes away at speed.

I always use Rotella 15/40. I have no codes right now, pending or other.

I'm sick of this engine.

I've seen the advice to check the oil pressure but all of the plugs I can see have oil lines and a pressure sensor in them. Can someone give me a basic how to? I'll get the tool at harbor freight. This is a 4.0. 2000 Disco II. This is not my original engine, which is why I am guesstimating the mileage. All of the easily replaceable parts on it are newish but I doubt the bearings or rings have ever been done.

Also, I know the transmission hose being cut and me driving another fifty feet, then being towed, has nothing to do with engine oil pressure but dang... What a coincidence! Any thoughts there? There is zero chance that the oil light was on before. I might not see a stick in the road but that's because I have my eyes in the dash lights, always.

 

Honestly check the wiring harness to the oil pressure switch, or try another oil pressure switch. I've seen some cheaper replacements fail right out of the box or soon after. Just something to check before throwing in the towel. When it's running and the light is flickering do you hear any knocking from the engine or is it smooth? With low oil pressure you can tell usually by the engine sounding louder than usual.

 

as said above check that the connection is not lose.
for easy quick oil pressure just spend $20 on ebay for a sandwich adapter for your filter.
old filter off, sandwich on, screw in gauge, re install filter, start engine.

 

I haven't heard any knocking and it runs as smooth as it ever has. I'll get the fan and pulley off and eyeball the wire. I definitely have a cheapo oil sensor. Also, I had to use a blade connector of my own making to hook up to the sensor because my front cover uses the older style sensor and my wiring harness is set up for the newer one.

 

Dro I went through a little confusion when I replaced the oil sensor because I have alot of parts and did not realize that there were two different front covers and oil sensors for Disco II's. The sensors have different sized plugs and threads for the two versions. Do you have any idea which sandwich to get for the older style one (just a big blade connector on the sensor).

 

I'm having the same issue. I had a front cover oil leak, so new gasket and oil pump while doing it and now after I'm up to operating temperature my oil light flickers. I also put a new sensor on and still doing it. I also run rotella and I never had this issue before the new oil pump. Engine sounds really good.

 

the sandwich adapter is the same size as your oil filter, "i" think it is 3/4 x 16 thread .(possibly 13/16 x 16) Same size as a full size ford, all V8 LR use the same filter.
I think both of you have to find out what your actual oil pressure is when the engine is hot

 

My mistake; I thought the sandwich went at the pressure sensor. I'll find one on ebay.

From what I have read I need readings at 2000 RPM both cold and hot.

My vexation is that this almost surely is one of those odd circumstances that is going to cost a bunch of money and time and not result in a hard answer. It is really unlikely that at the precise moment my transmission cooler line was cut, my oil pump broke or my bearings walked out. Really not likely at all...

I have another front cover with a new oil pump already on it but, as Dro suggests, it is probably best to figure out whether I actually have a pressure problem before throwing parts at the issue.

 

i would opt for a couple minute check oil pressure as opposed to a couple hours pulling the front cover

 

ME TOO!!! I found a link to a sandwich that will work elsewhere on the forum, here. There is also a video on the install. You were right in the initial instance on the size, Dro. 3/4 unf-16.

Here is the thread. Here is another one showing the same info. I like that MASSIVE oil filter he is using (in the first thread).

I guess it is time to have a real oil pressure gauge... and a pod... and some other stuff.

I am going to check ebay for a cheaper alternative and the rest of the setup, and will post here.