Oil light flickering on idle.

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Brian S

Brian S

Well-Known Member
Posts
2,886
Location
Braintree, Essex
Just recently the oil light on my 300 tdi has started to go on while idling.

I have checked the level and it's fine.

I do have a recent oil leak which may be from one of the oil cooler pipes but would this be the cause?

It also idles very low around 700 rpm but has never caused an issue before.

If I bring the revs up a little it goes out.

Should I just raise the idle speed or would I be hiding a more serious problem?

Cheers.
 
Kinda depends how many miles are on the clock..

Much less that 150,000 then you may have a problem.
Might just be a worn oil pump anyway.
But mileage higher than 150,000 it's probably not much to worry about. Try a more viscous oil next oil change perhaps.

Oil light coming on at high revs would be more of a worry.
 
Yep - its an oil pressure issue, so the pump aint pumping it as it should or the oil is getting past worn bits that it shouldnt. Thicker oil or an additive may help in the short term
 
i would check pressure to see that its okay ,oil pump rear of front cover crank driven but also could be worn brgs incuding cam or switch
 
Bromsgrove Defender said:
Wouldn't the light be on all the time if the switch were faulty?
Click to expand...

Just leave it and one day it will :) inside the switch unit is a spring and a diaphram which operates switch contacts all very simple stuff so like any moving part they wear and the weak spring can't hold-off the switch any more against the oil pressure so the lamp starts flickering.
 
Last edited:
Landy shows 225000 miles but I have no history so engine could have been replaced at some time for all I know.

Might try a new switch if they are cheap or just increase the idle speed.

Cheers for all the answers. :)
 
Not too long ago. Maybe 1000 miles or less.

I might also try the additive.

I have noticed it's started to smoke heavily as well and that started about the same time.

It seems to have started since I may have took in a little water into the engine while green laning.
 
Up to you - but... If I was in your position I'd want to monitor the oil pressure in more detail than just the flickering light. You can get a kit that fits between the engine block and the oil filter on ebay that includes an oil pressure sensor

SANDWICH OIL TEMP/ PRESSURE ADAPTOR ALL VEHiCLES on eBay (end time 18-Feb-11 21:13:44 GMT)

Then fit that to a pressure guage in the cab and you will be able to monitor to see if there is change over time.
 
Mine did the same when I first got it

With out the smoke or water ingress though it would happen when warm and when revved it disappeared just changed the oil pressure switch and it has not come back since the easiest and cheapest fix first imo
 
I have the same problem after going through water. Oil is fresh and not dropping levels. My mechanic said it will be fine. I'm not sure.
 
I had a car which started doing this. Shoved a pressure gauge on and it gave a healthy reading. Bought a new pressure switch and sorted the problem. I'd rather have a correctly working pressure switch than one I think is overly sensitive just in case it doesn't register properly if the pressure does suddenly fail.
 
Feathers McGraw said:
I had a car which started doing this. Shoved a pressure gauge on and it gave a healthy reading. Bought a new pressure switch and sorted the problem. I'd rather have a correctly working pressure switch than one I think is overly sensitive just in case it doesn't register properly if the pressure does suddenly fail.
Click to expand...
I've put a new sensor in but it's still flickering. I'm having it pressure tested on Saturday. Thanks.
 
my 200 started doing this and then it got worse, started it when it was hot until it finally started from a cold start, also started using a bit of oil as well as blowing through the crank breather for me, engines just about to come out and be swapped in my case as I guess the rings are worn as well as possible cam bearing and or oil pump failure. I tried all the things like a new switch ect before but hopefully you don't have to go to the measures of swapping out the lump
 
IamRobbie said:
my 200 started doing this and then it got worse, started it when it was hot until it finally started from a cold start, also started using a bit of oil as well as blowing through the crank breather for me, engines just about to come out and be swapped in my case as I guess the rings are worn as well as possible cam bearing and or oil pump failure. I tried all the things like a new switch ect before but hopefully you don't have to go to the measures of swapping out the lump
Click to expand...
Hi
Yes I've tried all sorts too. I've just bought a new motor so will put that in and have the original reconditioned. Thanks.
 
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