Oil Pressures

Oil Pressures

Author
Discussion

sixspeed

Original Poster:

2,061 posts

279 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Hi guys,

What readings does everyone get oil-pressure wise at idle and at 2500rpm (approx) once the car has warmed up?

Since my car has had an engine rebuild I've noticed the oil pressure is lower than it used to be. At idle it now drops down as low as 5 or 6 psi when the car has fully warmed up (oil temp 75+), whereas before it used to be about 16psi..


-andy-

and

191 posts

264 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
I get a reading of about 20 at cold idle, down to 12 at a hot slow idle, around 30 once between 2500 - 4000. Reading doesn't seem to go a lot higher except under acceleration.

Nick Elliott

2,410 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Andy

It can depend what sort of oil your using although 5-6psi is quiet low.With Mobil 1 0W40 mine use to drop to about 10 psi at idle with oil temperature >60 Deg.C.and was about 40-45psi at >2500 RPM.However with the Castrol RS10W60 it now never drops below 20 psi at idle or 50 psi at >2500 RPM even with oil temperatures of 85 Deg.C.In the recent cold weather it usually around 60psi when >2500 RPM but oil temperature was not above 45 Deg.C.Maybe it just a bad pressure sender, best to have it checked out though.

Nick

sixspeed

Original Poster:

2,061 posts

279 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Yeah - I'm going to get it checked. Might ring the factory for their answer...

-andy-

ajvmoore

170 posts

286 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Sounds far too low - at 65 degs, I get 47 psi steady at >2300 rpm, on Mobil1 0w40, probubably sender? - think you are wise to get it checked.

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Do the Tuscans have an oil pressure warning light?
My Cerbera (S6) warning light comes on if the pressure drops below 10psi... being its the same engine as the Tuscan I imagine that 5-6psi is also bad for the Tuscans.

Get it checked out !

(Is the idle speed below 900rpm as well??)

Nick Elliott

2,410 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all

bandit said: Do the Tuscans have an oil pressure warning light?
My Cerbera (S6) warning light comes on if the pressure drops below 10psi... being its the same engine as the Tuscan I imagine that 5-6psi is also bad for the Tuscans.

Get it checked out !

(Is the idle speed below 900rpm as well??)




There is a low pressure warning switch which activates at about 5psi.Idle speed on mine is 800rpm.

Nick

sixspeed

Original Poster:

2,061 posts

279 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Idle used to be 900, and yes - it is lower now. Idles between 600-700. Already rung MV to get this upped tomorrow as I suspected this wasn't ideal.


-andy-

TVR5

595 posts

265 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all
In the manual it tells you what the pressures should be at idle and 2500rpm (or something like that). And, although I haven't got it on me, I am sure that your oil pressure sounds too low!

Not sure what the pressures in mine are when hot/cold etc but they certainly were what the manual says they should be, or I would definately get it checked.

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all

sixspeed said: Idle used to be 900, and yes - it is lower now. Idles between 600-700. Already rung MV to get this upped tomorrow as I suspected this wasn't ideal.


-andy-



SixSpeed,

I bet if you push the idle back up to 900rpm the idle pressure will be back to 10psi (i.e. normal).

Good luck

21TVR

655 posts

263 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all
just checked mine

at idle 900rpm, oil pressure is 24psi

but don't forget the pod may well be lying to your face!

cheers

simon p

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all

21TVR said: just checked mine

at idle 900rpm, oil pressure is 24psi

but don't forget the pod may well be lying to your face!

cheers

simon p


Was the car warmed up when you looked? Pressure will be much higher when engine cold, it should drop off when engine running at normal temperature.

24psi seems very high for idle (when warm)!

21TVR

655 posts

263 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all
yup it was warm - i had just got back from a half hour drive out, i sat there for a couple of minutes and let eveything settle and then took the reading

so this may be a little high ?

I think you've started something now Andy !!

Nick Elliott

2,410 posts

288 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all

Nick Elliott said: Andy

It can depend what sort of oil your using although 5-6psi is quiet low.With Mobil 1 0W40 mine use to drop to about 10 psi at idle with oil temperature >60 Deg.C.and was about 40-45psi at >2500 RPM.However with the Castrol RS10W60 it now never drops below 20 psi at idle or 50 psi at >2500 RPM even with oil temperatures of 85 Deg.C

Nick


Mines the same.Also using the Castrol oil consumption has reduced quiet a lot.

Nick

sixspeed

Original Poster:

2,061 posts

279 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all
Ok..

Off to MV in a sec - but just for info:

When cold - even at 700rpm, I get 50-52psi.

Once up to a good running temp (70-80dec C):

700rpm (idle) - 4-6psi
900rpm - 12-16psi
2000rpm - 33-36psi

The manual mentions trackdays and that oil pressure should remain above 35psi@2000 rpm. I used to always keep an eye on this, and before my rebuild it would flicker between 38-42psi at 2000rpm. Now tho, its lower (as above).

Gonna mention it to Simon now... as I'm leaving to go see him and get the idle adjusted.


-andy-

RUSS.B

11 posts

291 months

Thursday 23rd January 2003
quotequote all

Nick Elliott said: Andy

It can depend what sort of oil your using although 5-6psi is quiet low.With Mobil 1 0W40 mine use to drop to about 10 psi at idle with oil temperature >60 Deg.C.and was about 40-45psi at >2500 RPM.However with the Castrol RS10W60 it now never drops below 20 psi at idle or 50 psi at >2500 RPM even with oil temperatures of 85 Deg.C.In the recent cold weather it usually around 60psi when >2500 RPM but oil temperature was not above 45 Deg.C.Maybe it just a bad pressure sender, best to have it checked out though.

Hi Nick (or anybody else that can help)
Could you please let me know where you have been able to purchase 'Castrol RS 10W60'.
The reason I ask is because the Halfords/ BP/Shell/Esso garages that I have looked have not stocked 'Castrol RS' in this grade
Thanks in advance
Russ