help, low oil pressure

[bilge rat]

hi guys just got back from hols in cornwall.me disco 200 tdi has suddenly decided to flick the oil light on at tick over .o.k when off tick over.changed oil and filter before hols & it was o.k going.wondered weather oil temp thermostat or switch could be at fault. any help would be great .cheers bilge rat..........

[imspanners]

Couple of easy things to try.
Replace the oil filter if it wasn't a genuine Landy one. Sometimes they have an internal pressure relief valve, this can give up too early on cheaper oil filters, giving the impression oil pressure is low.

Also, for the price, replace the oil pressure switch. That way, you can remove any doubt as to whether it is the switch, and is actually low oil pressure.

Finally, what is the tickover like. If it is too low, the oil-pump cannot generate enough pressure causing oil lamp illumination. Needs to be around 750rpm+

[bilge rat]

thanks for that will try have heard there prone to camshaft brgs wearing allowing it to move and cause low pressure hope its not this. on the easy note t/over is low it must have been hot due to towing and i run it on 10/40 semi synth .did change oil and gen filter before went away but was ok when went down.il have a play and let you know. thanks again bilge rat........

[John Finlayson]

Don't worry too much, mine has been like that for the last 80 thousand miles without any adverse effect.

Obviously need to make sure it doesn't get any worse and don't labour the engine at low revs.

I also heard it is probably the camshaft bearings btw.

[bilge rat]

been out in her today shes fine i think it may have been over heating a little, temp guage was a little higher than norm but still below half. i run a 82 stat, i have had 1 thought ive got bar with wipac spots wondered iff it could be restricting air flow through rad/ oil cooler any one else had similar thanks again bilge rat.........