Oil light comes on when warm and idling

I am buying a 94 TDI Disco 150K miles and when the engine is warm and idling on comes the oil light.

My friend who I am buying it off says not to worry about this it happens on all Land Rovers.

However, seeing the red light flash on every time the Disco idles is making me feel very nervous. Love the vehicle, but not that red light.

I can hold my own with engines but am far from technical.

If it is an oil light issue how easy can that be rectified? Is there something I can do by reaching in and tightning it for instance?

If it is something more serious, what could that be and, well, what could be the financil damage? Should I walk away from this purchase?!

I would appreciate any perspective anyone can give. As just one spin around the block and I am completly hooked on the Disco.

Many thanks in advance.

Newbie..wnanabe!

Mike, see flickering oil light, walk away from it unless you get some guarantees otherwise the only thing you'll be reaching for is your wallet

Sounds to me like there is an oil circulation pump.

I believe that disco had a problem with the oil pump, and LR never admited it, but did a kit to fix the problem for very cheap. Could be it never had this done or the pump is just about to fail. Fact it goes off when the engine is going faster sounds to me like the pump is not working correctly and only gives the engine proper pressure when its going faster.

All landrovers do not do this, he is talking BS, out of 5 I drive, 2 very regularly, and the many I travel in, I never see the oil light on bar for when the ignition is on before started!

Also if it is the oil pump, its a fairly big job.

Hi Guys,
Many many thanks for you advice. I belive the term is heart broken. It seems like good sense to have it checked out and I will come back with the findings.

Once again, many many thanks for your guidance.

Kind regards

Don't worry, another one will come along, its like women, there is always a better one.

Tell your friend you have spoken to some people, and that its NOT normal to have the light on, maybe he will let you have a look at the switch or measure the pressure before you buy it. But, you would be heart broken if you bought it and then the engine seized!

Mike from Warfield said:

Hi Guys,
Many many thanks for you advice. I belive the term is heart broken. It seems like good sense to have it checked out and I will come back with the findings.

Once again, many many thanks for your guidance.

Kind regards

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Hi Mike, I have a '94 300 Tdi auto, and my oil light NEVER comes on (apart from start-up, of course!). I'd be quite willing to pop across from Bracknell and show the guy my Disco. Perhaps we could look for 'differences' that might show up any modification changes.

In any case, I know a bit about the Disco now, so if you need some assistance when buying, let me know.

My friend who I am buying it off says not to worry about this it happens on all Land Rovers.


With friends like that who needs enemas

Mike, I would take Tony up on that offer if I was in your position, Tony can at least say to your friend 'look make this aint right', if you don't want to seem distrusting.

Can sometimes be a bad idea to buy/sell cars to friends/family.

all depends on the price dont it?
offer him 500 quid for it.

Why not do an oil pressure test to see if it is actually low or just a faulty pressure switch ?