Oil Pressure Light

My oil pressure light is coming on at idle, and taking longer to turn off on initial start up. Having read some other threads around the subject this is pointing me towards a potentially failing oil pump. I do not mind if this is the case as the engine (200tdi disco) currently has 349k on it so it is possible due a new pump.
It has oil changed meticulously every 6k miles (has just had one) as I do enough mile a week if I put it off it could potentially be 1k overdue by the next weekend.

I began to notice this a few months ago and put it down to the idle being a little low (was showing about 600 on my tacho) so have upped that a little bit, but has obviously not resolved the issue.

What else do I need to check before stripping it down to remove the pump? While stripped down to replace/rebuild the pump what else do i want to be checking while the sump is off?
Am I correct in assuming I do not need to drop the gearbox and remove the ladder to remove the pump?
I have not yet looked but are the pumps rebuildable or is it just a replacement item?

The vehicle is my daily drive So I am hoping to have it in pieces for the minimum amount of time possible and I have some time off work at the end of the month to potentially complete any work needed.

before you do anything, i'd check the actual oil pressure in case its just the pressure switch thats gummed up

Change the switch first for a quality one although God knows what's quality nowadays.
Also check the cable to it isn't rubbed through somewhere and touching metal. The switch works by earthing the circuit to the dash bulb.

as above and if pressure is low check bearings before swapping pump pumps rarely fail even if worn

jamesmartin said:

as above and if pressure is low check bearings before swapping pump pumps rarely fail even if worn

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What bearings do I need to check, and how do I go about checking them? I am assuming you are referring to bottom end crank bearings but I have never touched the bottom end.
Jumping ahead a little if it is not the switch (I will swap out to check) and the pump rarely fails, what else do I need to check to resolve the issue?

Flossie said:

Change the switch first for a quality one although God knows what's quality nowadays.

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I will replace the switch as a first port of call but as above what can people recommend as a quality replacement part? I notice turners have one for about £5

dag019 said:

What bearings do I need to check, and how do I go about checking them? I am assuming you are referring to bottom end crank bearings but I have never touched the bottom end.
Jumping ahead a little if it is not the switch (I will swap out to check) and the pump rarely fails, what else do I need to check to resolve the issue?


I will replace the switch as a first port of call but as above what can people recommend as a quality replacement part? I notice turners have one for about £5

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crank and cam bearings

jamesmartin said:

crank and cam bearings

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and how do I go about checking them?

dag019 said:

and how do I go about checking them?

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Start with the obvious first, pry bar and see how much fore and aft movement you can get on the crank pulley, then its sump off to remove the easiest to get to main bearing cap to check shells.
I wonder if it is possible to check cam with a bar with the engine side plates removed? Iirc its the rear one that wears most.

Turners don't sell tat as far as I'm aware.

Flossie said:

Turners don't sell tat as far as I'm aware.

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That was my opinion hence looking at their offerings.