Freelander 2 oil light

Since I changed my oil and filter the oil pressure warning lamp comes on intermittently at idle. Any ideas why? It never did before and started as soon as I did the oil change a few weeks ago.

I'd get a pressure test gauge in there quickly, as low oil pressure will destroy the bearings pretty quickly.

Did you use an engine flush when you changed your oil? Some possible causes of the problem could be the oil strainer on the pickup being blocked with lumps of debris, or a badly fitted o ring on the oil filter. Also, recheck the oil level on a level surface. My own driveway leans over to one side and tends to show a higher oil level than what is really in the sump. That it only happens at idle may suggest a pump problem at lower speeds and pressure, rather than a blockage.

Some years ago a friend had the same problem with a VW Golf & it eventually transpired the shop had given him the wrong oil filter. It looked like the right one but one had an non return valve in & the other didn’t. I can’t remember which was the correct one, but might be best to check before digging too deep ?

Stokeyboy said:

Some years ago a friend had the same problem with a VW Golf & it eventually transpired the shop had given him the wrong oil filter. It looked like the right one but one had an non return valve in & the other didn’t. I can’t remember which was the correct one, but might be best to check before digging too deep ?

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Worth a look. It’s intermittent though, doesn’t even happen every day, and only when idling. It’s got the stop / start system so doesn’t often idle for long anyway.

Did you fit a LR genuine filter?

some cheaper ones are know to cause issues!

TBH - for the price of an oil filter - if the oil warning light is coming on - I'd change it!

Bit cheaper and less hassle than a new engine.

Ah that sounds more like an electrical fault to me, a dodgy connection or pressure switch perhaps ? But I’m not fully familiar with the layout of the FL2. If you still have the old filter you could empty it of old oil & refit it just to prove that I’m talking rubbish !

The filter sits quite high at the front of the engine. Anyone know if I can change it without draining all the oil?

Well, as per Nodge's post ( #2 ) I strongly suggest you sort this ASAP - as it'll kill the engine if the sensor is telling the truth ....

A gauge is the only way to know for sure - preferably a capillary one, and preferably Durite, IMO.

I had to do this myself on a tractor the other day - oil light on at tickover ..... engine orft, gauge connected, and oil pressure is 60 psi ..... new switch fitted, and no problem ..... was all of £4.58 for a new, genuine one, so ...

Weirdly, this is the second one I have had fail in recent times - SWMBO's D1 oil pressure switch let go big style a few months ago = oil everywhere - and I do mean EVERYWHERE - took longer to clean up the mess than it did to fit the new switch

I'd also suggest genuine / OEM filters only too - e.g. the donaldson filter for this tractor has no non return valve - and the genuine one does. I've no words for the stupidity this demonstrates ......

I would think it’s easier to change a filter that’s high up on the engine as a lower filter will have more of a head of oil above it. You could try putting a container under the filter & carefully unscrewing it with the replacement ready to quickly put back on, but I couldn’t guarantee that you wouldn’t get oil every where .....

Would I be wrong in thinking it’s a minor problem because it only happens at idle speed? The light goes off with the slightest touch on the accelerator pedal so surely the pressure is ok above idle speed?

I’d still get it checked - as others have said on here, it might cost you a fortune if something is wrong but it might be a cheap fix & it’ll be worth it for the peace of mind.

wattfield said:

The filter sits quite high at the front of the engine. Anyone know if I can change it without draining all the oil?

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since oil only sits half way up the sump,theres no need to drain

Stokeyboy said:

I would think it’s easier to change a filter that’s high up on the engine as a lower filter will have more of a head of oil above it. You could try putting a container under the filter & carefully unscrewing it with the replacement ready to quickly put back on, but I couldn’t guarantee that you wouldn’t get oil every where .....

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how much oil do you think engines hold

Shame I’m towing the caravan to Kinytre first thing in the morning! Not too long a journey as I’m taking ferries but might get it checked while I’m away. Anyone know an honest garage near Campbeltown? I’d do it myself but I’m not sure the site owner would be pleased with an oil spill!