Gingerbread Man Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Recently when I start the car, the mechanical oil pressure gauge shows about 5/6 bar. I think it goes higher then it used to show. Now when I come to a stop at some junctions/ pull away out of them (engine still running), the oil pressure seems to sometimes dip down to nothing!!? Not every time I stop but enough that I've picked up on it. It only dips briefly and then it's back up and running normally. Also...The car used to sound a bit tapperty until the oil was warm and then it seemed to quieten down. It seems to be louder tappets now and doesn't quite down as much. I'm thinking this and the oil pressure might go hand it hand? I've checked all the joints and I can't find a leak. Nothing on the garage floor over night. Oil and coolant caps show no sign of the dreaded. Any ideas? Foam playing up maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Hi There GingerBread Man It doe's sound as if you are getting a bit of oil starvation, how long is it since you have replaced the foam, I think the idea now is to remove the foam all together its only a 5 minute job to remove the sump any way so it may be an idea to do this in case the foam is breaking up and blocking the pick up ☹️Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Ditch the foam and whack the holes in the shelf on the sump gasket ... something less to worry about (assuming it is a K-series). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.H Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Are you using the original leccy sender? I had some odd readings from a couple of mine before they packed up completely. Mechanical is the way forward The OP does dip quite low when the engine's hot and idling, e.g. traffic lights. Mine goes as low as 25-30psi when really hot, normally just above 35psi though. Sits above 65psi when first starting from cold. Hope that's useful. Simon niknak.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Seem to recall GM going mechanical OPG a while ago ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingerbread Man Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 Hi guys. It is a mechanical gauge as I mentioned ;-). I did buy a sump gasket along with a few clutch things a while back. The plan was to remove the foam while the engine was out but I ended up removing it with the oil still in. So I have the sump gasket and it's on the list of things to do. I guess I'll just have to bump it up the list. The oil is 10W40 at the moment which was put in not long before last Xmas due to a head gasket failure. It's a K Series, wet sump with an apollo tank. From memory I'm thinking I need one heck of a lot of oil to fill this all back up. Stick with the 10W40 or change it to another while it's out? The car is used daily. No track days yet but I do drive it hard often. Any tips or links to information on removing the foam and putting holes in the gasket? How many holes and where? Hole punch job or will it not be man enough? Cheers for the replies. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 5W-50 for k-series. Did your tappety noises start after you changed to 10W-40 ? Do a search in TechTalk to find the picture of the holes required in the gasket. Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 9 Jul 2009 08:09:46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 here you are - DAve Andrews pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingerbread Man Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Cheers Ian. The tappets got worse after I arrived back from Le Mans. Maybe it was the long runs to and forth, or maybe it was bad timing? Just the two holes then or a few on each side? I'm guessing it'll make more sence when I have the gasket in front of me. Cheers folks. Oh!? Are Halfords doing a deal on oil at the moment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Just the two - stops the oil pooling on the sloping shelf of the gasket. When you drain the sump, you won't be able to drain this oil that sits on the gasket, so be prepared for it to gush out as you drop the sump (when you have found all the 'hidden' bolts). You can get Comma 5W-50 synthetic oil at half retail prices from your friendly neighbourhood motor factors (or from Terry). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millsn Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Which engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart McGill Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I didn't do it because I wasn't sure at the time but I think your meant to put some small dimples in the bottom of the oil pick up pipe. See this here and it explains all.... follow 'Big Oil Change'. here Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Yes indeedy ..... ditch the foam, whack some holes in the sump gasket, and dent the bottom of the oil pickup flange to get a bit more flow, in case it is too close to the inside of the sump .................. and use the right oil ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingerbread Man Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 After reading the Alcester Racing 7's guide. It mentions the small section of foam under the cam cover. Shall I remove this (It is present) or keep it in place? Is it the bottom foam baffle that tends to cause the problems? David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Yes - big sheet of it (or at least it used to be a big sheet .... maybe leeeetle granules by now !). Do you want any old Low Flyings when I bring the oil ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingerbread Man Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 I know to remove the big sheet in the sump but there is a small section of foam (not broken up) under the cam cover (top of engine). Shall I remove this or keep it in there? It's located where the apollo tank pipe attaches. I think I'm okay Low Flying wise. Got the sump gasket in my hand ready to make some holes pre prep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich N Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I've read that you may as well remove it but I couldn't be bothered (identical setup to you). I don't think much oil flows there for me. --=[Oxford7s.net]=-- [subscribe: List-subscribe@Oxford7s.net] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingerbread Man Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Cheers Rich. Stay it will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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