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Oil Pressure and Tappets


Gingerbread Man

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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?

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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
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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 *thumbup*

 

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

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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

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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?

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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).

 

 

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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.

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