caterhamnut Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Our normally very stable engine seems to be behaving a bit differently (at least at gauge level) since the rebuild. Temp can climb high, and even at a steady even cruise on the motorway, with air flowing etc etc the temp stayed at an indicated 100 degrees (Caterham gauge) when before it never climbed above 80 degrees. Oil pressure is bizarrely reading high - starts up at about 4 bar then would settle there, would sometimes drop to 2 bar at idle, before picking up again as soon as revs rose. Now it rises to 4 and then rises to 6 bar indicated on the Caterham gauge. Stationary traffic has caused thetemp to show a reading of 110 degrees, drops to 100 degrees when moving. Could this be a sticking thermostat, that is not opening - the temp rises until airflow stabilises the engine temp at about 100 degrees? No idea what is causing the oil pressure issue, although some smoking at Abingdon might suggest piston rings, thus allowing the crankcase pressure to build up - connected? www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 94,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 I would check the coolant hoses, shotly after to see if they have an even temperaturte all round the cooling system. Sounds like it could be the stat, but the only way to check is to take it out and test. As for the oil pressure, maybe you have just knocked the sender? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted July 25, 2006 Support Team Share Posted July 25, 2006 Oil pressure most likely a dodgy connection (or dodgy sender) - if the wires get damaged and the resistance increases then the reading goes up. I guess it could possibly be the oil pressure release valve which is part of the oil pump. The cooling problem does sound like a dodgy thermostat - an awkward job to replace ☹️. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfourth Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Both reading high check the battery voltage as there might be something amiss electrically The happy handle made me do it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 cheers guys - 1st stop at least is to remove the thermostat and see what happens.... www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 94,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Angus What's changed from before to after the rebuild? Was the engine rebuilt as well? You have a new loom as well so I'd check the earths 1st (ensure bright metal to metal contact) & all the connections to the gauges with a meter. Is there a voltage regulater for the gauges? The next thing of course would be new senders & maybe a new thermostat if this isn't opening correctly. Hope this helps. Mick Edited by - Mick Day on 25 Jul 2006 10:08:36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 Yes, all things to check Mick - didn't change anything on the engine - came out whole as a 'closed loop' and then right back in again..... www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 94,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Both electric gauges (oil press and water temp) behaving oddly points probably to a bad common earth connection. C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 Yeah, know what you mean, but wouldexpect them to be a bit more erratic perhaps? Temps rise with bursts of revs etc - although I am more suspicious that the oil pressure thing is electrical....certainly worth checking all the (new) earths now they have had a time to settle and rattle off! www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 94,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Surely if the temp was genuinely that high you should be suffering low oil pressure? On mine the OP at idle has been dropping to an indicated 0.9ish bar when the engine is hot, with water temp showing 80ish and oil temp 95ish. Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 And rather than removing the stat, is the rad getting hot? Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Sounds like a ground issue to me. Try taking the ground bolt out from the plate on the left hand side of the chassis (11mm spanners if memory serves - was upside down in there just last night ) and use some wet & dry to remove the powder coat around it, on the top surface. Clean up the contacting ring connectors and make sure it is all nice and tight. A cheap and easy thing to check first I'd have thought. Phil Waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 - will look when later tonight when the temp outside is more comfortable - can't stand this weather. www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 94,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Angus, I'd second the earth issue. It's very common. /regin Growing old is mandatory - Growing up is optional Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Are you turning American Phil 🤔 I thought it was only our colonial cousins who referred to it as 'Ground'. As for me, I'm sticking to the system that was around when we still had an Empire and calling it 'Earth'. 😬 Brent 2.3 DURATEC SV Reassuringly Expensive R 417.39 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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