Oil pressure issue Duratec after wet sump refit

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jbcollier
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Go and buy a cheap mechanical gauge.  Test it against a bicycle tire pump to get an idea of how accurate it is.  It doesn't need to be accurate, just consistent.  Hook it up and start the car.

Same behavior?  STOP  There is a mechanical issue in the engine.

John Vine
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#13:  That image shows a round connector, which is what my Caerbont sensor has.  I don't know whether the loom wiring for the Variohm would be the same, but my guess would be yes.

#22:  I'd go a stage further and suggest converting to mechanical permanently, using the Think Auto OPG100. It would provide much more accurate and reliable pressure readings.

JV

John Vine
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#23:  Looking more closely, that wiring diagram (in #13) is a bit misleading.  The round (Stack) connector shows four wires, while I'm pretty sure my non-Stack round Caerbont connector has only three, and probably the same as Chris' Variohm. (I can't check at the moment.)   Also, the non-Stack connection is via two spades -- I definitely don't have those.

JV

Chris300
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Thanks Jbcollier, think I might head down machanical route 

Chris300
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Yes only three wires 

Chris300
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All, thanks for help thus far. 

Just checked sump again and found another hairline crack with oil weeping out. Can't imagine that's the oil preasure issue, but now first thing is replacement sump. Have a tour in less than two weeks, so will see if I can get some paid help at affordable cost. If not will cancel hotels and make it a longer term fix, which is a sod but also just one of those things. So will address the oil pressure at same time. 

Although not sorted, have learned a lot in the process, which is half the fun. Will update here when I do get it sorted. Thanks again all. 

 

John Vine
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Sorry to hear of the extra leak.  When I cracked my sump (two weeks before my French tour), I bought a replacement kit direct from Raceline as all I really needed was the pan itself and they were prepared to offer sale or return on any unused fittings.  That was an attractive deal given that CC sold only the complete kit.  In the end, I kept all the unused bits anyway.

Good luck sorting the repair.

JV

Chris300
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Thanks JV, will be on to Raceline today. Cheers 

Gridgway
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As a temp fix that might well last a long time, you could try using chemical metal on the crack if you can't get a new sump pan..  I've done that a few times.  Not petty but has worked.

Chris300
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Hi all, update on this and issues now resolved. 

Got a sender and loom from Raceline, fitted sender and no change. Fitted loom part and worked, but with some odd behavior on the gauge, before settling into a pressure reading. 

Had some issues with the battery as wasn't lasting a day after coming off trickle charge. So replaced battery.... and Oil Pressure Gauge then started to work as expected!  Was then worried it was all down to a knackered battery, but needed to check this for myself. 

Manged to find a second-hand wet sump unused. Fitted with no leaks that i can see as becoming a pro at fitting a wet sump on a Duratec (three times in past few weeks). Before refilling with oil this morning, put in old sender and old loom. Same issue reappeared. Replaced the loom and issue resolved. 

Happy it wasn't just the battery causing the problem, as it's been a chore. Pleased it's all sorted now and thanks for all the help!

All fixed for the Scottish tour in Friday :)