Heads up - sump gasket & oil pressure?

[peteA]

Guess this applies to all / most engines - just replaced the sump gasket on my 97 Griff 500 as I was fed up cleaning up what started off as a small oil leak off the garage floor (actually, to be more accurate I was fed up of the wife telling to clean the small leak off the garage floor...). On my last journey home I noticed the oil pressure was a bit lower than normal when at idle - only about 5 Psi or so - on the move it was OK....anyway, I was wondering why that would be so I took it easy until I got home, about 5 miles or so. Intention was not to use the car until I had satisfied myself all was well.

Anyway, dropped the sump off yesterday and found that the metal gauze filter on the bottom of the oil suction pipe was partially blocked....with bits of the old cork gasket! There was also little bits of silicone sealant in the sump too. Was amazed at the state the gasket was in...it basically fell apart.

Reason for the post...

- Never ignore the signs no matter how small - oil pressure gauge
- If you have an oil leak and it appears to be coming from your sump - bear in mind the above!

Luckily no harm was done as I caught it early enough and it only took a couple of hours to do so not worth leaving or getting it looked at by your trusted garage / mechanic. Sooo glad I spotted this and went ahead and done the job - not sure how long it would have taken to block the filter completely or what damage the oil starvation would / could have done...top end mainly I guess...whatever, I'm sure it would have been expsensive!

Like i say just a heads up guys.

Pete A

[spongy]

good one to keep an eye out for,better than an engine rebuild;)