Scott Tully Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 I have a 140bhp K series and under hard acceleration at about 5-5500 revs the oil pressure drops which I think is oil surging to the back of the sump. I have proved this as when at high cruising speed you change down to bring the revs up to 5 or 6000 the pressure remains fine. Does anyone else have this problem and any ideas how to overcome it? And yes it is full of oil, if any thing it is slightly over full but trying different levels doesnt seem to make much difference and I am loathed to put to much oil in. Any suggestions? Azure Blue SV 1800 X-Power 140bhp. Now with Six Speed and 3:62 diff 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 first thing is to check that the oil level is correct. do you have an apollo tank 🤔 If so you need to check the oil level with it hot and running, if you don't have an apollo you check with the engine off. I think this is right (I've got a dry sump so that's different again) so wait for a confirmation from somebody. The wet sump design does mean you run a gauntlet between too much oil and windage causing the oil temp to rocket at high revs and too little leading to surge. Unfortunately these two regimes seem to overlap so you can suffer from both... ☹️ HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Another thought - have you had the car from new 🤔 It may be worth checking in the sump to see if the foam and windage plate are in there - I've heard of them being missing, or even worse breaking up.... HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 As a point to note with the oil and an apollo - i started the engine waited 2 mins and checked oil - looked about 1 cm too low!! Left engine running, came back 5 mins later, still about 7 mil too low, came back another 10 mins later, when oil temp was up to normal running temp and oil level was absolutely spot on. Is my oil expanding, or hiding til it's warm enough to come out and play!? Perhaps this phenomenon is confounding your readings when checking the oil? Charlie'n'Kermit The plan is: Leave for Le Mans on the 7th S5EVN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Tully Posted June 19, 2003 Author Share Posted June 19, 2003 No i dont have an apollo tank, do i need one? Yes I have had the car from new. It is only 9 months old. I didnt notice this problem until the car came back from Caterham having had a six speed fitted. Azure Blue SV 1800 X-Power 140bhp. Now with Six Speed and 3:62 diff 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Charlie, The oil is forcibly pumped into the engine's working areas but only drains under the effects of gravity. If the oil is cold and viscous it doesn't drain half as effectively as when warm, so more oil is retained in the head. This is the effect you are seeing. Scott, If there has been a change in behaviour since Caterham did some work on the car, it needs investigating. It could be a wiring problem though, but for safety I would recommend dropping the sump and having a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Hoopy ref your: If so you need to check the oil level with it hot and running, if you don't have an apollo you check with the engine off. I think this is right (I've got a dry sump so that's different again) so wait for a confirmation from somebody. I do not have an Apollo tank and the instructions with the engine are to read the oil "hot and running". Chris 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Edited by - Chris W on 19 Jun 2003 10:40:52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred68 Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Could be the type of oil that you have into the car that is not compatible with the foam...I have had this problem, now solved. 😬 Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 For oil checking instructions look here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Thanks for the link Peter - very clear. I had forgotten about the new section of FAQ New site! mycaterham.com here 42,000 in 23 months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 ok - correction accepted They've changed the recommendation a few times and I've lost count since fitting the dry sump. Peter's explanation makes a lot of sense - I hate being told things without a reason. HOOPY R706KGU Hoopylight R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 not convinced I agree with theoil level checking instructions on the FAQ for the dry sump. The bit about filling until oil is chucked out is utter tosh and the distance to dip is not what Caterham recommend (they say 9.5 inches). Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 R500Owners.com recommends not letting it drop below 9.5 inches, but ISTR the filling instructions are for 11inches. IME 11 inches guarantees that some (quite a lot) gets vented to the catch tank, so I have a dipstick marked up for 10 inches. YMMV. Just drove home with a leaking bottom plate and had lost a litre or two over the underside of the car, so there is some tolerance. 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