2012 CRD Common Rail. Oil light coming on.

[Coldcomfort]

Hi all, if its not one thing its another.

Driving to work this morning the oil light came on. I was travelling at about 100kph. Luckily I was in a spot where i could push in the clutch and turn the engine off.

I got the RACV to tow me home.

The symptoms go like this. I can start the engine no problems. The oil light goes out as normal but comes on about 20-30 seconds later.

There is plenty of oil.

I have seen some Toyota engines where the oil pick up get clogged with EGR krud in the sump. Is this a thing with Patrols?

I'm really not sure where to go with this.

Would it be worth to buy a mechanics pressure gauge and test it? Can this be done ZD30's?

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Brian.

[Dhuck]

You could add an oil pressure gauge. However the pressure sender is probably shagged. Mine started out like that. Good oil level and still regularly check it. I have not changed the sensor as yet. There are 2 on the CRD. One on each side of the motor. Passenger side is the usual one to go or the best starting point as it is the cheapest at i think 30 odd dollars. The driver side one is a few hundred dollars.

[nipagu7]

the sensor on the passenger side is a low pressure switch . the drivers side is a pressure sensor and is where you fit an after market sensor/gauge to get a correct test reading . you can add a 'tee' fitting to fit a after market sensor there, and connect it to a gauge on the dash . this is what i have done . ( you may need to remove the top starter motor bolt to get the 'tee' in . you may need to remove the front tail shaft to get better access but i didn't . i jacked up the drivers side chassis rail somewhat at the very front to get more angle on the front drive shaft which i could then work around ) . maybe start with checking the connections at the sensors , and check for codes to see which sensor/ switch is involved.

[Geoff-AU]

Driving to work this morning the oil light came on. I was travelling at about 100kph. Luckily I was in a spot where i could push in the clutch and turn the engine off.

I got the RACV to tow me home.


Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

You've already got quite enough :harhar:

A cheap mechanical oil pressure gauge is a very good idea, then you know what's really going on. Oil pressure switches can go bad, but the other option is your oil pressure really is low. Mechanical gauges can only be used outside the cabin, for diagnostics they're fine. If you want in-cabin you need an electrical gauge with a remote oil pressure sensor.

My brother-in-law showed me a photo on his phone of the low oil pressure light being on, he drove it 20km home to show us Bang Head. "It means the oil level is low" no mate.. that's not what the light is for. Mechanic put a gauge on and said not the switch, it really was low. Engine looked fine (no sludge) inside the oil cap. Sump off, pickup was 2/3 blocked with sludge. Cleaned out, oil pressure back to where it should be. Dancing with the devil there!

[Coldcomfort]

Ordered a new oil pressure switch (LHS) from nizzbits. Hopefully this is all I will need. Thanks for the advise everyone.

Cheers, Brian.

[Coldcomfort]

LHS low pressure switch turned up yesterday. It will be installed tomorrow. I discovered today that there is such a thing as a purpose made 27mm socket for removing/installing these things. And only $12. New tool for the long list of only used once cabinet.

[Coldcomfort]

Replaced the LHS oil switch/sensor today. Waisted time and effort. Its still the same. I'll order the RHS sensor today and start over again. If that doesn't fix it I don't know where to go.

Does the patrol suffer from clogged oil oil pick up? I know Toyota's do. But my truck has had the EGR blocked for years and also a catch can.

[Bidja]

Replaced the LHS oil switch/sensor today. Waisted time and effort. Its still the same. I'll order the RHS sensor today and start over again. If that doesn't fix it I don't know where to go.

Does the patrol suffer from clogged oil oil pick up? I know Toyota's do. But my truck has had the EGR blocked for years and also a catch can.

FWIW, My CRD at 200,000 ks had same failure and Patrolapart recommended to replace both at the same time(switch _ Passenger side / sensor _starter side), reason why not sure, first did passenger side (not fixed) and then followed up replacing sensor driver side. Problem sorted.

Extract from Nissan Learning Acadamy Doc 2008 CRD (pg 18) _ Doc attached FYI:


Oil Pressure is monitored via the ECM with the utilisation
of an Oil Pressure Sensor which is located at the RH
rear of the engine.
In addition to the Oil Pressure Sensor there is an Oil
Pressure Switch located at the LH front of the engine,
above the oil filter. This switch will ground & illuminate
the ‘red oil can’ warning light when there is close to 0 Oil
Pressure.
The above mentioned Oil Pressure SENSOR is
connected directly to the ECM. If the ECM measures
specific pressures at certain engine speeds &
temperatures, the ECM will signal the Instrument Cluster
to illuminate the RED OIL CAN warning light on the
Instrument Cluster.
Refer to section EL of this Training Manual for more
detail.
ZD30 CRD Engine Oil Pressure Specifications.
Engine Oil Pressure measurements are to be taken from the RH Rear of the engine after the removal of the
Oil Pressure SENSOR. DO NOT confuse the Oil Pressure SENSOR with the Oil Pressure Switch located
on the LHF of the engine next to the Oil Filter.
See over page for more detail of the Sensor & Switch locations.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/ZD30-CRD-2008-2.pdf

[pollenface]

I drove for about 2yrs with the oil light on (I could not fault the car otherwise and know it's a common fault on zd30 engines)

Finally got around to replacing the oil switches. I replaced LHS first and no change, so replaced RHS and that did the trick.

The RHS one is easy to access with intake manifold removed.

[Coldcomfort]

I have had a quick look at getting to the RHS sensor. It looks like a prize PITA. Are there any tricks?

BTW I have a scan gauge that shows no codes..... Also I had to move the car on the weekend. I ran it for about 5 minutes with no unusual sounds. (I'm looking for an excuse to install a V8 diesel ):D

So I'm fairly confident that there is oil pressure...... So starting to think that I definitely have a dodgy RH sensor.

[Bidja]

I have had a quick look at getting to the RHS sensor. It looks like a prize PITA. Are there any tricks?

BTW I have a scan gauge that shows no codes..... Also I had to move the car on the weekend. I ran it for about 5 minutes with no unusual sounds. (I'm looking for an excuse to install a V8 diesel ):D

So I'm fairly confident that there is oil pressure...... So starting to think that I definitely have a dodgy RH sensor.

This is an extract from a post I did back in 2017:

Removed fuel filter and tucked fuel lines out of the way. Disconnected OEM Sensor elec connector, then from underneath used an open ended spanner and removed OEM Sensor.

This is when I installed the VDO oil pressure gauge and T piece (2017). Can not remember if it is required to remove the fuel filter + brkt just for the changing out the sensor. But not much work to move filter out of the way.

Not sure if u are thinking of installing an oil pressure gauge, just be aware that some Tee adaptors on eBay are too long. This is what I used:
https://www.gauge-shop.com.au/products/copy-of-brass-adaptors?variant=40415205195941

Attached a couple of post FYI:

My install sensor/T piece/VDO sender
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?40683-GU-CRD-Access-to-Oil-Sensor-(Drivers-Side)-to-install-VDO-quot-T-quot

Mod to starter top bolt cable bracket so to fit T adaptor
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?40758-Oil-Pressure-Sensor-Fit-with-T-Adaptor-Bracket-Mod