Discussion
Hi
My S3C is having erratic oil pressure from 30 -50 lbs.
This happened after being on the front Axel stand for a couple of days.
I Have change the oil and the filter and it appears to be a littler bit better when the revs are above 1300.
The tappets are also noisy (lack of oil)
I presume that it is a blocked feed or something.
I don,t want to remove the engine to get at the sump to drain it properly.
any thoughts ?
Regards P
My S3C is having erratic oil pressure from 30 -50 lbs.
This happened after being on the front Axel stand for a couple of days.
I Have change the oil and the filter and it appears to be a littler bit better when the revs are above 1300.
The tappets are also noisy (lack of oil)
I presume that it is a blocked feed or something.
I don,t want to remove the engine to get at the sump to drain it properly.
any thoughts ?
Regards P
Its almost certainly a faulty sender, it was on mine and strangely when I thought I had an oil pressure problem my tappets seemed to be much louder. My problem was compounded by the fact that the first replacement sender I bought was also faulty. Save yourself a lot of time and trouble by getting the pressure checked on a mechanical gauge, most garages will have one. You will then know if you have a real problem or not.
Rob.
Rob.
HI thanks, I think it could be the reverse placebo effect. Low oil pressure, tappets sound very loud.
I think I will follow your advice a try a garage although I would feel much happier if the tappets weren't as loud.
I will try and take it for an hours drive over the weekend and have a proper listen, then visit my local garage.
Regards Paul
I think I will follow your advice a try a garage although I would feel much happier if the tappets weren't as loud.
I will try and take it for an hours drive over the weekend and have a proper listen, then visit my local garage.
Regards Paul
That oil pressure doesn't sound at all worrying, and you wouldn't need to worry about the lifters if you have 30 PSI+. If there is a problem, it would be internal to the engine and involve removing and dismantling most of the engine to get at it. In that case it would be worth trying a flushing agent to see if you could shift it. But again, based on the figures you're giving I don't see anything to indicate an oil pressure problem.
Are you used to the sound of the engine running with the bonnet up? You will normally hear all sorts of alarming noises that simply go away when you close the bonnet.
Are you used to the sound of the engine running with the bonnet up? You will normally hear all sorts of alarming noises that simply go away when you close the bonnet.
Hi
How does a flushing agent work ? do I just drain the oil and stick it. do they actually work
I am aware of the noises coming from the engine with the bonnet up, I've had it up enough times (Ooh err misses)
So you reckon fluctuating PSI is nothing to worry about as long as its above 20/30 PSI.
Regards P
How does a flushing agent work ? do I just drain the oil and stick it. do they actually work
I am aware of the noises coming from the engine with the bonnet up, I've had it up enough times (Ooh err misses)
So you reckon fluctuating PSI is nothing to worry about as long as its above 20/30 PSI.
Regards P
agentokra said:
Hi
How does a flushing agent work ? do I just drain the oil and stick it. do they actually work
I am aware of the noises coming from the engine with the bonnet up, I've had it up enough times (Ooh err misses)
So you reckon fluctuating PSI is nothing to worry about as long as its above 20/30 PSI.
Regards P
They are a thin oil that you run round the engine for a few minutes that hopefully loosens any obstructions and carries the dirt away with it when you drain it out. Sometimes accused of causing more problems than it cures since the dirt released from the galleries where it wasn't doing any harm can easily get carried into the lifters where it blocks them. So if you don't know you have an oil pressure problem I wouldn't recommend flushing, and if you do know you have an oil pressure problem I still wouldn't recommend it.How does a flushing agent work ? do I just drain the oil and stick it. do they actually work
I am aware of the noises coming from the engine with the bonnet up, I've had it up enough times (Ooh err misses)
So you reckon fluctuating PSI is nothing to worry about as long as its above 20/30 PSI.
Regards P
The oil pressure will normally wobble all other the place at low revs - whether you see it or not depends how much damping there is in your oil pressure gauge. Unless you're sure the oil pressure has changed suddenly, I don't think you have any reason to worry about it. 30 psi at idle is fine.
As to what's causing that funny noise - practically impossible to diagnose without hearing it and could be anything from terminal engine failure to perfectly healthy and nothing to worry about.
agentokra said:
Hi
I took her for a spin last night and she now seems to be running at around 50psi when driving but drops to 20/30 psi when on tick over.
I suppose I can live with that.
many thanks P
As others have indicated that is perfect oil pressure, my S3c is exactly the same, so don't worry about it just enjoy the car / weather.I took her for a spin last night and she now seems to be running at around 50psi when driving but drops to 20/30 psi when on tick over.
I suppose I can live with that.
many thanks P
Cheers.....Tony..
tozerman said:
agentokra said:
Hi
I took her for a spin last night and she now seems to be running at around 50psi when driving but drops to 20/30 psi when on tick over.
I suppose I can live with that.
many thanks P
As others have indicated that is perfect oil pressure, my S3c is exactly the same, so don't worry about it just enjoy the car / weather.I took her for a spin last night and she now seems to be running at around 50psi when driving but drops to 20/30 psi when on tick over.
I suppose I can live with that.
many thanks P
Cheers.....Tony..
For what it's worth - I think it can depend on the brand of oil used...
I had a Granada (same engine) for 140,000 miles, always used the same oil (Granville from the local motor factor) so I used the same oil in the S. No problems. Then I went in one time and they said they no longer stocked Granville, so they sold me another oil (big reputable manufacturer, and slightly dearer than the Granville was) that was supposed to be the same - same SAE rating, same SF spec - but when I put it in, I had exactly the symptoms described in the OP - rattly tappets and a slightly lower oil pressure.
I hadn't done anything else, I'd only changed the oil, so it had to be that - so I drained it out 2 days later and put in Mobil1 (the thicker stuff, 15/50) and it was fine again... so I've been using that since. It's more expensive, but because I'm servicing the car myself it's no big deal in the scheme of things.
Not suggesting the OP had used a cheapo oil, just that IME the wrong oil can make a difference.
I had a Granada (same engine) for 140,000 miles, always used the same oil (Granville from the local motor factor) so I used the same oil in the S. No problems. Then I went in one time and they said they no longer stocked Granville, so they sold me another oil (big reputable manufacturer, and slightly dearer than the Granville was) that was supposed to be the same - same SAE rating, same SF spec - but when I put it in, I had exactly the symptoms described in the OP - rattly tappets and a slightly lower oil pressure.
I hadn't done anything else, I'd only changed the oil, so it had to be that - so I drained it out 2 days later and put in Mobil1 (the thicker stuff, 15/50) and it was fine again... so I've been using that since. It's more expensive, but because I'm servicing the car myself it's no big deal in the scheme of things.
Not suggesting the OP had used a cheapo oil, just that IME the wrong oil can make a difference.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff