Oil pressures

[drive2tractors]

Would someone be able to let me know what the normal pressures are to be expected in a S6 engine? Hot and cold idle, hot running etc?
Thanks
Andrew

[5MUG]

Come on you lot - he's going to look at one tomorrow and needs to know!!!!!.....

[G20RG B]

I have a 2003 CERBERA SP6. 28K miles

When driving on the motorweay at about 80ish the oil sits about 45ish.
At traffic lights it drops to about 20-25ish,

I haven't driven it for a week as I haven't been home but I'm sure these are the temps I'll check again on Wednesday when next home.

Good luck with the viewing.

[Macey]

With regards to the pressures, mine on hot idle is around the 20-25. It would also depend on the grade of oil being used. I use 5W40 Mobile 1, if the car is using thinner oil then the idle pressure might be lower. This is only based on my S6 with 52K on the clock and might be different for others.

Macey

[smithyl23]

rebiult engine with new oil pump new oil pressure sender.

Cold start 50+ psi

Hot idle 12-15 psi approx 950 rpm

Hot oil whilst pushing on 45-55 psi.

smithy

[Konrod]

Can confirm whats been said. Mone is a 2000 4.0L with 17k miles, never rebuilt.

Hot idle = 20 - 25psi (at 95C indicated)

2000+ rpm = 45 - 50psi (at 95C indicated)

Oil is 10W40.

[shep1001]

Cold start 55-60 psi

Hot idle 10-15 psi approx 900 rpm

Hot oil whilst pushing on 45-55 psi.

I fitted a new sensor the other day as the old one read bks when you booted it (99 psi) and checked the readings against the laptop all looked good. Engine has not been re-built, has just clocked 19K. oil is 10-40W

Shep

[Zippee]

shep1001 said:

Cold start 55-60 psi

Hot idle 10-15 psi approx 900 rpm

Hot oil whilst pushing on 45-55 psi.

I fitted a new sensor the other day as the old one read bks when you booted it (99 psi) and checked the readings against the laptop all looked good. Engine has not been re-built, has just clocked 19K. oil is 10-40W

Shep

Mines exactly the same as Shep's only without the dodgy sender. I had a bottom end rebuild at 9k (10k ago) and use 10/40W Shell Helix.

[5MUG]

Thank you all v much.

[Konrod]

...and it was going so well.
In the 35 degree weather in france my oil temps hit 93 and didn't drop below 85 even when bowling along.
Problem was idle pressure was down to 4 - 6 psi at 800 and only 40 above 3000. I kept the idle at 1000. on the pedal and it was above 10, but did anyone else have this?
Might up the oil to 10w50 in the summer as i was getting worried - any thoughts?
Have to say the car is a superb high speed tourer as well as grin inducing sports car

[NickT]

My oil pressure is currently dropping low (3 - 4psi) when I'm slowly lifting off of the clutch with little throttle to reverse slowly up my drive (this is where I notice it most). This could be due to very little throttle being applied and could be due to the car feeling like it is about to stall (bad idle?). The rest of the time the pressure seems to be fine.

[jeast]

I had a leak from the pressure sender and after replacing it the readings at tick over were some 10PSI lower than before - sometimes droping to 6 PSI at about 900 RPM - Could therefore be a dodgy sensor.

[itiejim]

NickT said:

My oil pressure is currently dropping low (3 - 4psi) when I'm slowly lifting off of the clutch with little throttle to reverse slowly up my drive (this is where I notice it most). This could be due to very little throttle being applied and could be due to the car feeling like it is about to stall (bad idle?). The rest of the time the pressure seems to be fine.

3 psi is not enough. I'd definately put a wet gauge on that to check the correct reading. As a general rule, you need 7 psi per 1000 rpm as a minimum.

[NickT]

itiejim said:

NickT said:

My oil pressure is currently dropping low (3 - 4psi) when I'm slowly lifting off of the clutch with little throttle to reverse slowly up my drive (this is where I notice it most). This could be due to very little throttle being applied and could be due to the car feeling like it is about to stall (bad idle?). The rest of the time the pressure seems to be fine.

3 psi is not enough. I'd definately put a wet gauge on that to check the correct reading. As a general rule, you need 7 psi per 1000 rpm as a minimum.

Thanks for that general rule of thumb. I think the oil pressure is only reading low at 500rpm - 800rpm. I think I need the engine setup again as it isn't idling well at the moment either

[TVR_CS]

I'm relative new to owning a SP6 Cerbera, 2 months now and I noticed last weekend while at BNG that my oil pressure was fine when motoring around but would drop to 0 psi, yes thats right zero! On reving the engine the pressure gauge would mimick the rev counter up to a normal 40-60psi at 3-4K. Any ideas anyone? its been mentioned on the Cerbera forum about changing the oil relief spring which I intend trying to do.

The TVR specialist (& seller of the car) reckon that it is nothing to worry about as I have normal pressure around 3-4K revs, and that there will be pressure at tickover as if there wasn't the oil warning light would have come on? They also mentioned the oil relief spring and would take a look at it when I take it in next month.

2003, 48K and no engine rebuild, but checked over at my local TVR specialist (not the seller of the car) who said everything seems fine

Thanks

Edited by TVR_CS on Tuesday 14th September 20:39

[G20RG B]

TVR_CS said:

I'm relative new to owning a SP6 Cerbera, 2 months now and I noticed last weekend while at BNG that my oil pressure was fine when motoring around but would drop to 0 psi, yes thats right zero! On reving the engine the pressure gauge would mimick the rev counter up to a normal 40-60psi at 3-4K. Any ideas anyone? its been mentioned on the Cerbera forum about changing the oil relief spring which I intend trying to do.

The TVR specialist (& seller of the car) reckon that it is nothing to worry about as I have normal pressure around 3-4K revs, and that there will be pressure at tickover as if there wasn't the oil warning light would have come on? They also mentioned the oil relief spring and would take a look at it when I take it in next month.

2003, 48K and no engine rebuild, but checked over at my local TVR specialist (not the seller of the car) who said everything seems fine

Thanks

Edited by TVR_CS on Tuesday 14th September 20:39

I also have a 2003 SP6 Cerb with 30k on the clock with no rebuild that I know of.

0(zero) oil pressure is not good as you know, but If you are getting pressure at 3-4k it sounds like it could be the pressure switch, is it leaking? it's below the air box against the inner wing and some oil would be on your chassis and outrigers around the drivers side front wheel.
Good news on the mileage of your engine, 48k with no rebuild goes along with my thinking that if you get to 25-30k with out a rebuild it should be good for another 25-30K as any poor parts would have worn by then, and from 2003 onwards there was an improvement in the quality of the components used in the SP6 generally.

I used to drive mine watching all the gauges and listening for any strange little noises but as my confidence has grown with the car and engine, I get in it, warm it up then just enjoy the ride.

George

[willtvr]

TVR_CS said:

I'm relative new to owning a SP6 Cerbera, 2 months now and I noticed last weekend while at BNG that my oil pressure was fine when motoring around but would drop to 0 psi, yes thats right zero! On reving the engine the pressure gauge would mimick the rev counter up to a normal 40-60psi at 3-4K. Any ideas anyone? its been mentioned on the Cerbera forum about changing the oil relief spring which I intend trying to do.

The TVR specialist (& seller of the car) reckon that it is nothing to worry about as I have normal pressure around 3-4K revs, and that there will be pressure at tickover as if there wasn't the oil warning light would have come on? They also mentioned the oil relief spring and would take a look at it when I take it in next month.

2003, 48K and no engine rebuild, but checked over at my local TVR specialist (not the seller of the car) who said everything seems fine

Thanks

Edited by TVR_CS on Tuesday 14th September 20:39

Presumably your specialist must have connected a gauge to determine that there is oil pressure at tickover to be able to state that everything is fine? That being the case just ask him what the readings were.

[dpd3047]

Time and again ive read on here about these electric gauges, they are unreliable and and readings are all over the place, for the cost of a few quid
and an hours work fit a mechanical gauge they come as a kit cheap for peace of mind knowing that what you see is the correct oil pressure.

[drive2tractors]

Had our first shakedown today with a run to the Revival, good news is oil pressure was >55 at cold, settled to a constant 42 for the whole journey and 10-15 at hot idle. the temperature also stayed at a constant 75-80 except for a quick rise to 90 when stationary. In my book that's good news.
A.