I have a small oil leak and my low oil pressure light is on

Hey Joe,
Are you sure it's the hydraulic oil low pressure or is it the engine oil low pressure light? Check the engine oil for being low, over full, filter change, right type of oil, leaks, air filter, spark plug, clean air intake, battery getting a good charge, if that stuff is ok, then find your oil pressure switch and change that out.
But it if it is the hydraulic oil light, check for leaks, that is a high pressure system so don't put your hand by hydraulic leaks use cardboard or something to check for leaks, a pin hole leak can cause severe damage to your skin from a high pressure injection from fluid.
Let me know if this helps and we can go from here

You need to find out why you have low oil pressure. It is normal that as engine rpm's increase, the oil pressure will rise- the oil pump is moving oil faster. Even though your light goes out, you could still have critically low oil pressure. There should be sufficient pressure at idle to keep the light off. The light will come on when your oil pressure is almost nil- I believe for some it's as low as 8 psi. Normally, oil pressure at idle is specified anywhere from 15 to 40 psi. You would have to check specifications for your Expedition. To verify oil pressure, hook up a mechanical gauge at the oil pressure sending unit on the engine block. Check with a local shop.

The causes run from easy, simple to budget busting ruin. Low oil level, wrong grade oil, real old oil, oil leaks, internal oil leaks, worn oil pump, worn crankshaft bearings. It was pretty common on older very high mileage cars to have a fluttering oil light at stops and idle. It was time for a rebuild, or time to look for another car.

Sorry to say the oil light may be for low oil pressure, not necessarily low oil level. If the oil pressure is low, you are wearing out the bearings and engine parts at a very fast pace.

For your help, there are few Car Engine oil related solved problem listed below. You can go through it.
High Oil Level on Dipstick http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/high-oil-level-on-dipstick.html Oil light came on and the car died? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/oil-light-came-on-and-car-died.html How to replace Oil filler cap or breather cap? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-oil-filler-cap-or.html Oil pouring out from left front of engine? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-pouring-out-from-left-front-of.html Common Causes of Car Oil Leaks? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/common-causes-of-car-oil-leaks.html Troubleshoot Car Oil leak? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/troubleshoot-car-oil-leak.html 2004 Dodge Stratus: Windage Tray Problem http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/2004-dodge-stratus-windage-tray-problem.html Toyota Highlander Sport Oil change details? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/toyota-highlander-sport-oil-change.html Low oil pressure light on Dodge Magnum?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/low-oil-pressure-light-on-dodge-magnum.html

Kia Sportage leaking oil from oil pan?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/kia-sportage-leaking-oil-from-oil-pan.html
Car Turns OFF due to low oil pressure warning light?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-turns-off-due-to-low-oil-pressure.html
Toyota Corolla leaking oil from timing cover? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/toyota-corolla-leaking-oil-from-timing.html

Overfilling oil in engine?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/overfilling-oil-in-engine.html
2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel: Oil Leak issues? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/2000-dodge-ram-3500-cummins-diesel-oil.html-----------
These will help.Thanks.

For oil pump,oil pump pressure,oil warning light,oil low,oil ewplacing and other car engine oil problems,the help links are provided below.Click the link to go through the procedure :-----Oil light came on and the car died?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/oil-light-came-on-and-car-died.html--------How to replace Oil filler cap or breather cap?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-oil-filler-cap-or.html---------Oil pouring out from left front of engine?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-pouring-out-from-left-front-of.html------Common Causes of Car Oil Leaks?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/common-causes-of-car-oil-leaks.html--------Troubleshoot Car Oil leak?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/troubleshoot-car-oil-leak.html--------Oil change details?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/toyota-highlander-sport-oil-change.html---------Low oil pressure light?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/low-oil-pressure-light-on-dodge-magnum.html
----------
leaking oil from oil pan?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/kia-sportage-leaking-oil-from-oil-pan.html ----------
Car Turns OFF due to low oil pressure warning light?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-turns-off-due-to-low-oil-pressure.html

------------
leaking oil from timing cover?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/toyota-corolla-leaking-oil-from-timing.html

----------
For more oil and oil pump details check out the direct links below: ---

How to Replace Oil Pan on car?
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-oil-pan-on-audi-a4-and.html
--------
How to Replace an Oil Pan Gasket?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pan-gasket.html
-----------
HOW TO REPLACE AN OIL PUMP
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pump.html
----------
HOW TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter.html
----------
HOW TO REPLACE AN OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (SENSOR)
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pressure-switch.html
-----------
How to Check Differential Oil Leaks and Replace Oil
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-check-differential-oil-leaks-and.html
----------
HOW TO PERFORM A BASIC ENGINE TUNE UP-OIL CHANGE
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-perform-basic-engine-tune-up-oil.html

-------

Oil pan Gasket on car?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/oil-pan-gasket-on-1998-toyota-tercel.html

---------

Oil pressure for car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/oil-pressure-for-2001-gmc-jimmy-v6.html

----------
How to replace Oil Pan on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pan-on-2008-honda.html

---------
How to replace Oil Pressure Sensor on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pressure-sensor-on.html

-----------
How to replace Oil Pump on car?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pump-on-2008-honda.html

----------
Car oil leak?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-oil-leak.html

----------
Car oil leaks from valve cover gasket?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-oil-leaks-from-valve-cover-gasket.html

----------
Oil light blinks on dashboard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/oil-light-blinks-on-dashboard.html

-----------
Oil pressure issues on car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-pressure-issuers-on-toyota-tundra.html

-----------
Oil leaks from air filter on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-leaks-from-air-filter-on-ford.html

---------
Wire running from oil pan to alternator?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/wire-running-from-oil-pan-to-alternator.html

--------------
Why car leaks oil from oil filter?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/toyota-camry-leaks-oil-from-oil-filter.html

------------
Why engine is consuming lots of oil?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2008-scion-xb-24l-engine-is-consuming.html

-----------
Maint REQD message on car dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/maint-reqd-message-on-2008-lexus-rx350.html

------
Remove Sump oil pan?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/remove-volkswagen-sump-oil-pan.html

--------
Sump not coming OFF?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/sump-not-coming-off.html

-----------
How to remove the sump on car?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-remove-sump-on-vw-beetle.html----------Car oil sump removal diagram?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/volkswagen-beetle-oil-sump-removal.html

---------

This will help.

Thanks.

For oil pump,oil pump pressure,oil warning light,oil low,oil ewplacing and other car engine oil problems,the help links are provided below.Click the link to go through the procedure :-----Oil light came on and the car died?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/oil-light-came-on-and-car-died.html--------How to replace Oil filler cap or breather cap?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-oil-filler-cap-or.html---------Oil pouring out from left front of engine?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-pouring-out-from-left-front-of.html------Common Causes of Car Oil Leaks?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/common-causes-of-car-oil-leaks.html--------Troubleshoot Car Oil leak?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/troubleshoot-car-oil-leak.html--------Oil change details?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/toyota-highlander-sport-oil-change.html---------Low oil pressure light?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/low-oil-pressure-light-on-dodge-magnum.html
----------
leaking oil from oil pan?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/kia-sportage-leaking-oil-from-oil-pan.html ----------
Car Turns OFF due to low oil pressure warning light?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-turns-off-due-to-low-oil-pressure.html

------------
leaking oil from timing cover?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/toyota-corolla-leaking-oil-from-timing.html

----------
For more oil and oil pump details check out the direct links below: ---

How to Replace Oil Pan on car?
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-oil-pan-on-audi-a4-and.html
--------
How to Replace an Oil Pan Gasket?
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pan-gasket.html
-----------
HOW TO REPLACE AN OIL PUMP
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pump.html
----------
HOW TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter.html
----------
HOW TO REPLACE AN OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (SENSOR)
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-oil-pressure-switch.html
-----------
How to Check Differential Oil Leaks and Replace Oil
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-check-differential-oil-leaks-and.html
----------
HOW TO PERFORM A BASIC ENGINE TUNE UP-OIL CHANGE
http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-perform-basic-engine-tune-up-oil.html

-------

Oil pan Gasket on car?
http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/oil-pan-gasket-on-1998-toyota-tercel.html

---------

Oil pressure for car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/oil-pressure-for-2001-gmc-jimmy-v6.html

----------
How to replace Oil Pan on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pan-on-2008-honda.html

---------
How to replace Oil Pressure Sensor on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pressure-sensor-on.html

-----------
How to replace Oil Pump on car?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-oil-pump-on-2008-honda.html

----------
Car oil leak?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-oil-leak.html

----------
Car oil leaks from valve cover gasket?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-oil-leaks-from-valve-cover-gasket.html

----------
Oil light blinks on dashboard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/oil-light-blinks-on-dashboard.html

-----------
Oil pressure issues on car?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-pressure-issuers-on-toyota-tundra.html

-----------
Oil leaks from air filter on ford?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/oil-leaks-from-air-filter-on-ford.html

---------
Wire running from oil pan to alternator?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/wire-running-from-oil-pan-to-alternator.html

--------------
Why car leaks oil from oil filter?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/toyota-camry-leaks-oil-from-oil-filter.html

------------
Why engine is consuming lots of oil?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2008-scion-xb-24l-engine-is-consuming.html

-----------
Maint REQD message on car dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/maint-reqd-message-on-2008-lexus-rx350.html

------
Remove Sump oil pan?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/remove-volkswagen-sump-oil-pan.html

--------
Sump not coming OFF?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/sump-not-coming-off.html

-----------
How to remove the sump on car?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/how-to-remove-sump-on-vw-beetle.html----------Car oil sump removal diagram?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/03/volkswagen-beetle-oil-sump-removal.html

---------

This will help.

Thanks.

Oil light blinking usually indicated low oil pressure / viscosity. Probably either low on oil, incorrect oil weight, poor quality oil, or needs oil changed..........Mike

The oil pressure switch or sending unit is a unit that receives an electrical signal showing what your cars oil pressure is.And yes it does partially does let you know when there is a problem somewhere in the oil system.For example if your filter gets clogged up your oil pressure will go down and then go up when you accelerate.If there was a leak in the system first you would probably see the leak And if the oil pump or oil pump shaft were to break you would have no oil pressure.So you can see the importance of having an oil pressure switch.I feel there are 2 guages that are important to watch are your oil guage and water temp guage they can tell you allot about how your car is operating.

just because you had your oil changed dosent mean that your oil pump is working and the leak is most likley a rear main seal or an intake gasket

The dash light indicates oil pressure. When idleing the pressure drops too low and and light comes on. As it revs up, pressure increases.. light goes off.
You should go here and read about low pressure. Too much to copy and paste here.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/low-oil-pressure-at-idle.html

The small leak onto the exhaust maybe more than just a nuisance, it is a fire hazard. Potential to catch fire. Clean off the COLD header and front pipe with a non flamable solvent cleaner. Also the engine case around the area. You may find the source of the leak.