KevSull Too Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Ok, to set the scene.. Lovely sunny Saturday Mr. Non Technical decides on a nice quick blat. Open garage start up car (1.8 SL), reverse out, lock garage, strap in, check oil pressure at idle - looks good, around 3.5 thingys (this is Mr. Non Technical we're dealing with!), drive off, oil pressure still Ok around 4.5 - 5 thingys. 20 Minutes later driving along some nice roads, sun shining, birds singing, wind blowing through what's left of hair, check oil pressure - around 4 thingys. Pull up to a junction, car at idle, check oil pressure - just above red!!! AARRGGGHHH, panic, rev engine lightly, oil pressure returns to just under 4. Blat aborted, return home gently. Every time the car idles the oil pressure looks dangerously low. Arrive home, check oil level (engine hot and running) Looks good. Question--- What could the problem be? It there reason for major concern? Please tell me my car's not busted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Car's not busted. You are seeing the quite normal reducing of oil pressure at idle while hot, due to the oil being a lot thinner than when it is cold. At hot idle it should read >1.5bar. Any less and I'd worry. Changing the oil, if it hasn't been done recently, would be a good idea if you are really concerned, and make sure you use the right grade of oil. I'm no K series expert, but I think a 5W-50 is the spec. of choice. A K series expert will be along in a minute to agree/debunk/correct me if I have made any glaring errors. Edited by - Blatman on 9 Feb 2002 20:27:23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevSull Too Posted February 9, 2002 Author Share Posted February 9, 2002 That's good news, so all I need now is some more sunny weather... Thanks Blatman, Cheerio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 change the OP sender. I have done this on three occasions ith the symptoms you describe. They are just not very good. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dba11 Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 Before you change the oil or oil pressure sender, check the oil pressure relief valve isn't stuck. This happened to me. At idle it was on the edge of the red, but when revving was around normal. It is located at the front of the engine on the left hand side (looking from the front towards the back) near the sump. Cheers Daren. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Panks Posted February 11, 2002 Share Posted February 11, 2002 I've had a similar problem, I am now on my 3rd OP sender, last one replaced by Hyperion in December who couldn't find anything wrong. Once the sender was replaced, all went well..... Until today when the F*$£&^^$"g thing has now started playing up again! I haven't found anything else wrong with the car except the crappy OP sender! Hope this helps, Ernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now