Oil light and hearing a slight metallic sound?

Tiny
CA7922303
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
New 5w30 oil change after seeing oil light on. Start engine and hear a slight metallic sound. Turn off, restart, sound is gone. Drive about 10 miles, oil light comes on about 5 miles in, no metallic noise. After restart all is normal, no light, no noise, runs normal, light comes on about halfway back, no noise. Shut down at end of trip. Restart, no light, no noise. Please advise. Thanks
Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 8:38 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
So this happens when the oil pump pick up gets clogged up with gunk. I would remove the oil pan sump and clean it out; here is how in the images below. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
CA7922303
  • MEMBER
  • 165 POSTS
What do you think about trying Seafoam first to see if light will stay off for a temporary fix and then drop oil pan later. Middle of a heat wave right now? Thanks.
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Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 8:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Sure, you can give it a shot, I have had good luck with seafoam. Let me know how it goes.
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Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 9:37 AM

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