PJT Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I have a 21 year old 1.6 rover K series Caterham. The oil pressure varies! On start up it is 2 bar but this rapidly drops to 1 bar (or just under) and when stationary it drops into the red!There are no obvious oil leaks.Is this normal behavior for a K series or should I be looking for a new oil pump/gauge? Any thoughts gratefully received.Yellow Peril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Electrical or mechanical gauge? If electrical, the gauge sender would be the first thing I would suspect. Noted for failures. Personally rather than replacing it, I'd swap to mechanical ... but others may argue against. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Mechanical gauge all the way. Do that first for less than one new electrical sender and see what is really happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Has it always done this?What oil is in there and how old is it?Which dipstick do you have, and how are you checking the level and filling ?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted November 10, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted November 10, 2021 As has been said. Failure of sender is very likely. You can replace it but you'll be replacing it again in a couple of years. Just as cheap to fit a mechanical gauge and much more reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Machine Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Endorse 2 to 5. I have a similar aged car and have gone to mechanical gauge. Symptoms you describe mirror the failure of my last electrical sender as it slowly died. Fitting a mechanical system is not a big job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 It's really easy to damage the electrical sender - it's very low and exposed- I damaged 2 by going over the anti-exit plates on the way into the company carpark before I realised what was causing the issue.caterham used to sell a remote mount kit - to place it on the cross member - don't know if they still do. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonL Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 My electrical sender failed in the same way - gradually lower and lower pressure readings. Replaced with mechanical sender bought from Think Auto. Can dig out the part numbers if you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W2TKY Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 I was exactly the same, on my old 1.6 K, use to sit at junctions reving to keep the oil pressure up, it use to drop to zero on tickover. Bit the bullet and bough and fitted a mechanical gauge, and hay presto no more low oil pressure issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 I bow to the knowledge of my peers in matters related to gauges, but have you thought about the baffle in the sump (assuming it still has one)?On my similar 1.8k I had oil pressure issues, albeit a bit more extreme than you are describing, and it turned out to be bits of a disintegrating plastic oil baffle starting to block the oil pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJT Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share Posted November 13, 2021 Hi Guys, Thanks for all your comments. I thought I better have a closer look at the issue so got down on my hands and knees - at nearly 79 I no longer enjoy laying on my back on a hard, cold concrete floor - and found that it looks as if the switch has been "grounded" at some time. Bit surprised that it still works at all! Probably not surprising with some of the narrow, windy lanes in the Midlands (and the Peak District National Park in particular) so I have ordered a new switch but if that doesn't work I'll go for the mechanical route.Many thanks for all your help.Yellow Peril Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Very good point about the dreaded foam in the sump ... we had probably all assumed most owners have got rid of this potential menace by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youds7 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 What should the oil pressure be on a 1.6 k series? I have a '98 Supersport with dry sump and it shows 2 at tick over and 4 at higher revs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 That's about right .... 2 bar = 30psi and 4 bar = 60psi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Pearce Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 If anyone doesn't know about the foam. This is what I found when I had oil pressure issues. And this was what my oil pickup looked like.Ditch the foam, drill a hole in the sump gasket shelf and fit a mechanical oil pressure gauge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby S Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Now let's not start the sump baffle argument - pros and cons - just end of sports if it does degrade and isn't noticed quicklyRe pressures (on a mechanical gauge - and I agree with what's already been said - much improved accuracy)On start up - 65 PSI - 70 when blippedTick over once fully warm - 20-23 PSIGeneral running 40- 60 PSI depending on revs and load1400 K Supersport (with sump baffle) with 39k on the clock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 use 15 w 50 Motul 300V oil and the problem will be solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJT Posted November 25, 2021 Author Share Posted November 25, 2021 Hi Guys, Just an update. New electric gauge fitted and pressures now as per Toby S above. Here's a pic of the culprit. Surprised it worked at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed White Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Any pointers to the best places for the sender please, as I think i've got the same issue. Also any recommendations for the best place for a mechanical gauge please, cheers, Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 I'd try Redline for the sender first. And I don't now how many types there are.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Mechanical gauge parts and supplier in this Guide.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Machine Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Ed. The mechanical set up is a pipe that connects to a mechanical gauge. Pipe connects to where old sender was connected. So you need a new gauge connectors and some pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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