Low oil pressure when turning left?!
Discussion
Another new and interesting problem, my oil pressure drops when turning left. If done at low speeds (& low engine RPM), eg turning on to my driveway, it'll drop all the way to zero, accompanied by the oil pressure warning light, but will come back up a few seconds later. I've checked the oil level and its full.
I'm not 100% what to do about it but I think I'll start by getting the oil sump off and seeing whats what in there, and probably getting the cam covers off and checking cam shafts and followers for oil coating and any wear that might have occurred. Any further advice is much appreciated.
I'm not 100% what to do about it but I think I'll start by getting the oil sump off and seeing whats what in there, and probably getting the cam covers off and checking cam shafts and followers for oil coating and any wear that might have occurred. Any further advice is much appreciated.
Hi Will
Have you tried turning the steering while stationary on your drive? If you get the same pressure drop then it may be the woodruff key on the auxiliary shaft at the very front of the engine that's failed. The extra strain put on it by the power steering pump could cause the sprocket to spin on the shaft without turning the pumps.
I hope I'm wrong though as it's an engine out job to replace.
Lets us know how you get on.
Have you tried turning the steering while stationary on your drive? If you get the same pressure drop then it may be the woodruff key on the auxiliary shaft at the very front of the engine that's failed. The extra strain put on it by the power steering pump could cause the sprocket to spin on the shaft without turning the pumps.
I hope I'm wrong though as it's an engine out job to replace.
Lets us know how you get on.
CerbWill said:
Don't think it's the woodruff key as it never happens when turning right but I'll give it a go anyway.
I've often heard about this oil pressure relief spring but haven't found where it is yet. Where is it?
It is on the side of the pump assembly, 24mm nut I think just undo that and behind it is the spring.I've often heard about this oil pressure relief spring but haven't found where it is yet. Where is it?
You will lose about a tea spoon of oil when you undo it.
What oil pressure are you getting Normally and is the problem worse when the engines hot.
Have you tried adding some more oil, if you go 5mm over full it won't do any harm. It does sound like oil starvation, a quick search does bring up a few guys that have had similar problems mostly on track days but only when the oil has gotten a bit low and topping up cures it.
Have you tried adding some more oil, if you go 5mm over full it won't do any harm. It does sound like oil starvation, a quick search does bring up a few guys that have had similar problems mostly on track days but only when the oil has gotten a bit low and topping up cures it.
CerbWill said:
Thanks gruffalo. Oil pressure relief spring is intact.
Martin, turning the steering when stationary has no effect on oil pressure.
Not the woodruf key then.Martin, turning the steering when stationary has no effect on oil pressure.
The oil level in these cars is notoriously hit and miss to measure correctly on the dip stick and you get one go at it a time. With the car level (not meaning to teach an egg sucking technique) remove the dipstick and leave it out for a few hours then dip once an see where it is on the dipstick, about a litre between high and low markers.
Left hand bends is where the oil stavation seems to show up most from my experience.
Engine temp makes no difference. Usually getting about 80 PSI on startup, about 70 PSI when running, and 40-50 PSI hot idle, using 0W-40 oil.
I've taken the throttles and cam covers off, plenty of oil on the cams and no damage/wear there. However I noticed a strip of the sealing foam stuff for the airboxes was missing from the front of the N/S intake and the No. 1 intake valve has some deposits on it, see pic below. All the other intake valves are clean. Not sure how that'd explain the oil issue though, or if its anything to worry about?
I guess I'll just let it sit with the dipstick out and see whats what in a few hours.
I've taken the throttles and cam covers off, plenty of oil on the cams and no damage/wear there. However I noticed a strip of the sealing foam stuff for the airboxes was missing from the front of the N/S intake and the No. 1 intake valve has some deposits on it, see pic below. All the other intake valves are clean. Not sure how that'd explain the oil issue though, or if its anything to worry about?
I guess I'll just let it sit with the dipstick out and see whats what in a few hours.
I have had this a couple of times also, for me it only happens when turning left at speed under hard breaking ( coming off a motorway sliproad to a roundabout and turning left, then having to break hard as a dithering old porsche driver pootles out of the underpass, soon to be eaten alive of course 
), For example.
Both times when this hppened the oil level was found to be just below halfway between max and min lines on the dipstick and the car took a litre of oil to get back to max, does ayone know where the oil pump takes a suction from within the sump, i'm guessing its from the left hand side (when sitting in car) towards the rear (gearbox end)? 96 4.2 by the way.
Keep meaning to grind a new min line on the dipstick and grind off the current one.............. Its on the list!
), For example. Both times when this hppened the oil level was found to be just below halfway between max and min lines on the dipstick and the car took a litre of oil to get back to max, does ayone know where the oil pump takes a suction from within the sump, i'm guessing its from the left hand side (when sitting in car) towards the rear (gearbox end)? 96 4.2 by the way.
Keep meaning to grind a new min line on the dipstick and grind off the current one.............. Its on the list!
Edited by Thunderroad on Sunday 26th July 12:43
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