Checking Oil Pressure
Discussion
Hi guys.
Went to start up the Cerb today after a month of not being able to drive it. On firing up, the oil pressure lamp went out, but no oil pressure registered on the gauge. Tried a couple more times briefly today but same thing. Tried tapping (read thumping!) the gauge but not a dicky bird. Obviously I suspect that the gauge is probably faulty as the pressure light appears to be operating as expected but would like to physically check the oil pressure's ok before driving the car (nearest TVR garage 200 miles away. What's a satisfactory way of doing so (preferably without ripping off rocker covers)? I've found the capillary tube to the rear of the dial and can easily access and split a fitting on this line. If I split it and fire the engine up, will oil spurting out here indicate good pressure? Will I the introduce air traps into the capillary line by splitting it? Any advice appreciated.
Cheers.
Went to start up the Cerb today after a month of not being able to drive it. On firing up, the oil pressure lamp went out, but no oil pressure registered on the gauge. Tried a couple more times briefly today but same thing. Tried tapping (read thumping!) the gauge but not a dicky bird. Obviously I suspect that the gauge is probably faulty as the pressure light appears to be operating as expected but would like to physically check the oil pressure's ok before driving the car (nearest TVR garage 200 miles away. What's a satisfactory way of doing so (preferably without ripping off rocker covers)? I've found the capillary tube to the rear of the dial and can easily access and split a fitting on this line. If I split it and fire the engine up, will oil spurting out here indicate good pressure? Will I the introduce air traps into the capillary line by splitting it? Any advice appreciated.
Cheers.
The best way of checking it is to remove the oil pressure sender unit for the light. it's usually fitted in the main oil gallery on the engine block.
Fit the adaptor for the oil pressure test gauge and warm the engine up.
Check the pressure of the oil at warm/hot idle and then again at around 2000rpm against published figures for the engine.
I'd not bother touching the small bore pipe and running it, thats just messy
and you risk leaks or breakage for no reason if the oil pressure proves to be poor. The very minimum pressure will be enough to put the light out, but might not be enough to register on the gauge
Fit the adaptor for the oil pressure test gauge and warm the engine up.
Check the pressure of the oil at warm/hot idle and then again at around 2000rpm against published figures for the engine.
I'd not bother touching the small bore pipe and running it, thats just messy
and you risk leaks or breakage for no reason if the oil pressure proves to be poor. The very minimum pressure will be enough to put the light out, but might not be enough to register on the gaugeGassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff