V8 Oil Pressure Problem

[N_Mitch]

G'day fellas,

I just started a long trip when the oil light in my VQ 5L V8 came on. I stopped, checked the oil and as all seemed OK I started driving again. Only a few Km's down the road the engine started rattling so I stopped. I was 80km out of town, and managed to limp home doing 20-40km/hr until the ticking got too bad. (This was late at night in SW Qld - so no phone signal and no other cars passing!)

My car manual is back at the coast, so I have limited resources to nut out the problem.

Thinking the oil filter was clogged I changed the oil and filter. It started quite well, and I did about 5km around town before the oil light came on again. I was able to get back home just as the tappets started to lightly tick.

Can anyone give me an idea of what I can do next?

Thanks,

Mitch

[savage1987]

oil and filter change... then hope you don't have to take off the sump and check the pickup

[N_Mitch]

Ok thanks.

The oil filter I took off was a Valvoline V02, which is much bigger than the Ryco Z160. Would this have caused any problems?

Thanks,

Mitch

[greenfoam]

Not really, they do change the pressure a little bit but chances are you have a blocked pickup and it will be well worth pulling the engine out and cleaning the pickup before the engine is destroyed. If there are no visible signs of sludge in the rocker covers then something may have happened to the pump

[N_Mitch]

Ok, thank you both for your help.

Regards,

Mitch