Well, since nothing can be easy, I am getting a low oil pressure warning at idle (in Drive like sitting at a red light) when the engine is up to operating temperature. Increase the idle speed 1 or 2 RPMs, or put it in neutral, and the fault goes out. Bought the 2001 with 90K miles used, and it DIDN'T do it during the test drive, only after an oil change to 5-30W as specified. Changed the oil pressure sending unit, no difference. Don't really think I have a bearing problem (God forbid). Car runs great, and doesn't make any strange noises. No smoke. Wondering about the oil pump and pickup? Debris (possibly old bits of plastic from the old tensioners/guides? Maybe some electrical gremlin? Any other ideas or experience with this issue out there? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

the oil pump is crank driven. As you suggest, a partial blockage at the pickup might cause it to report low pressure. Your oil is at the correct level I take it?

 

Hi Sean - yes, oil level is correct.

 

I would try 10W30 or 10W40 and see if that cures the fault. It won't hurt to try it. When the V8 cars were introduced, the dealer I was at would not stock more than one kind of bulk oil for the shop. The 6 and 12 cylinder cars were getting 15W40 mobil oil so that is what we put in the XK/XJ v8s.
Jaguar tech line was not really happy with this but we are in Texas (warm climate) so they were not screaming about it.

bob gauff

 

Thanks Bob,
I have 10-40 in it now, and it doesn't seem to be as good as the 5-30W in terms of getting rid of the warning light. It is almost like their is a blockage at the oil pump that the lower viscosity oil gets by better? If that makes any sense?
Scott

 

Bob -
What are your thoughts about trying a straight synthetic? I hear they maintain their viscosity better than regular motor oil.

 

Try a $8 can of 'Restore'. If that doesn't fix it start taking things apart.

 

The steel sump pan is easy to remove and then you can look at the pick-up screen.

bob gauff

 

Thank you all for the input, I think it is time to drop the pan.

 

I just droped a pan for this this morning to dig out the tensioner pieces then tell the customer how much more they needed to spend unless they wanted the engine to self destruct..........im doing tensioners now

 

Update, theyre lucky. I pulled the covers and someone already did tensioners. They were very happy to not have to spend that money. Of course i wasnt happy to loose the work though either
lucky them im honest

 

hi i would not remove pan until you hook up a oil pressure gauge and see what the real reading is and go on after that. i would also say that with that reading you will know if changing the oils will change the pressure but in the chance its still low
you may find a worn oil pump and thats better then a main bearings or rod bearing problem. good luck