P_is_for_Paul

Only since i had my rocker cover powder coated my oil light comes on when i start the car from cold and stays on until i give it a rev. It got a new rocker gasket which was tightened properly by a Ford mechanic. Also when the light is on the engine sounds very tappy - like an old fiesta sounds! Again, this goes away when i give it a rev. Any ideas?

Rallyesport

It has nothing to do with you rocker cover. Low oil level, blocked oil pickup or most likely worn big end journals, like most RS Turbos. The oil pump is rarely worn unless you have alot of debris in the sump.

rswoza

when did it last have an oil and filter change mate? i would start with that

when u change the oil BEFORE you restart take off the coil lead and turn it over until the oil light goes out noramally takes 5 seconds or so then reconnect and fire her up.

might be worth checking your oil breathers for cack in them too, just take them off one at a time them clean them out throughly

cuvner

wen engine is cold give this a try, pull the top lead off your distributor( keep away from most things metal!) turn your motor over a couple of times then re-attach ht lead, start motor see if your light comes on, also if the engine makes that tappy sound!
If your light dont come on and doesnt make a tappy sound then you know that ur oil pressure sensor isnt faulty and its just a lack of pressue at start up, tappy sound is probably from your head as it takes a few secs for the hydraulic lifters to build up pressure! Most peolples cars do it, mine does for a split second but my oil light goes out straight after start up, have you recently changed your oil? might be to thick for these cold mornings! that would cause a lack of pressure for a few secs also wld take a lil bit to get pushed up to the head!! some ideas im sure url get loads of suggestions

P_is_for_Paul

Had oil and filter recently.
The top lead on my distributor keeps coming loose and has fallen off a few times. Would that affect it? (its connected when the light is on though) The light only stays on for like 8 seconds or until i rev it

db

Are you sure the correct oil went in?

P_is_for_Paul

Yeah correct oil!

1.9 xr2 on 40's

when you had it powdercoated did they grit blast it???
they did mine, took many soakings in fuel to get rid of it out the baffle plates, u may have a ton of blasting grit in your oil making its mark on your big ends

cuvner

a big end makes a deep knock if its worn, tappy sounds are either piston slap or hydraulic lifters, cam could be worn out, they rapidly wear on cvh engines! if your ht was causing the problem then ur engine would of had starting issues, i wouldnt worry, only worry wen oil light comes on wen driving not on start up! Remember its getting colder and your oil will take longer to reach temp! Get some guages if your that worried, oil temp/pressure gd luck

P_is_for_Paul

Right it came on yesterday when i was waiting for the gf outside a shop when it was idling. My fan came on so i but the heater knobs to the warmest setting and the blower on 3 and the oil light came on??? It went back off when i put the heater back off. It hasnt came on today at all but it was tappy earlier. Went away after a few revs though.

The car has only just turned 30k. Surely cam shouldnt be worn?

rswoza

what does your car idel at? when u turn the fan on u suck up a few volts/amps from the battery and the engine rpm drops very slightly... if you car is ideling very low ie below 750 rpm then turn it up to say 850-900 by turning the idel screw

cuvner

mine drops in revs wen i put my fan on too, sounds like u got an oil pressure problem, get a pressure guage soon as possible, to be on the safe side you really need to check your pressure, could just be a faulty sensor, i have hAD this problem b4 and it was just the sensor!! Maybe go get a new sensor too see if that cures your problem