New acquisition - oil Issues
Discussion
Hi All,
I plumped for it and bought a Cerbera. (1998, 4.2)
Checked the oil and various levels prior to setting off in the rain. All ok with both coolant and oil pressure steady throughout. However, I'm not entirely sure about the point to use on the dipstick - the dot, the top of the flat section or the obvious between the two indentations? I do believe the previous mechanic has filled the oil the measured the dipstick without pushing the dipstick all the way down where the cap fits over the pipe. As a result he has over filled the oil as the resulting reading would have been short. It seems as if the oil level is to the top of the dipstick which I'm thinking is way too high.
Drove fine for the 150 mile trek down the motorway - through lashing rain and coped brilliantly apart from misting of the windows due to water ingress! I expected this as carpets were damp upon inspection.
However, having started it this afternoon (with slight pressure on the throttle as read about), then stalled it twice (!), I noticed a small plume of smoke upon start up. Then whilst sitting for 5 minutes the oil light on the dash began flashing on and off with tick over. With revs the light went out and returned at traffic lights and subsequently flashed with tick over again.
I think that I will definitely change the oil but need advice which part of the dipstick to use. Also any ideas what the flashing oil light could mean?
Thanks and here's to Cerbera ownership!
I plumped for it and bought a Cerbera. (1998, 4.2)
Checked the oil and various levels prior to setting off in the rain. All ok with both coolant and oil pressure steady throughout. However, I'm not entirely sure about the point to use on the dipstick - the dot, the top of the flat section or the obvious between the two indentations? I do believe the previous mechanic has filled the oil the measured the dipstick without pushing the dipstick all the way down where the cap fits over the pipe. As a result he has over filled the oil as the resulting reading would have been short. It seems as if the oil level is to the top of the dipstick which I'm thinking is way too high.
Drove fine for the 150 mile trek down the motorway - through lashing rain and coped brilliantly apart from misting of the windows due to water ingress! I expected this as carpets were damp upon inspection.
However, having started it this afternoon (with slight pressure on the throttle as read about), then stalled it twice (!), I noticed a small plume of smoke upon start up. Then whilst sitting for 5 minutes the oil light on the dash began flashing on and off with tick over. With revs the light went out and returned at traffic lights and subsequently flashed with tick over again.
I think that I will definitely change the oil but need advice which part of the dipstick to use. Also any ideas what the flashing oil light could mean?
Thanks and here's to Cerbera ownership!
Congrats. Hope the issues aren't serious. Who did the last service / oil change?
Reading the dip stick is a pain. It's best to take it out clean it and leave it out over night. Then push it in but don't twist / lock it, remove and read. The oil should be at max ie there should be two lines with a patten between. Oil at the top of that line. Slight over fill is ok. Way too much will cause issues. Have you checked coolant level or to ensure coolant isn't being lost (into the oil)?
Reading the dip stick is a pain. It's best to take it out clean it and leave it out over night. Then push it in but don't twist / lock it, remove and read. The oil should be at max ie there should be two lines with a patten between. Oil at the top of that line. Slight over fill is ok. Way too much will cause issues. Have you checked coolant level or to ensure coolant isn't being lost (into the oil)?
Thanks for the quick replies.
The information provided is excellent and mine is similar to the picture. BUT the measurement is all over the place with a little oil here and there! There is some at the very top of the flat section along with a long streak from the marks to this area. Maybe I should leave the car longer than 2 hours!! I have never known anything like it and that is the reason for my post!
OK, measure between the marks as I thought. BUT do I push the dipstick all the way in as this does involve a twist to get the plastic cover part of the handle over the pipe? As it turned out I had to move the car anyway and started her up again and no oil light! Took her for a short spin down the road and all well with 40ish measuring on the oil pressure on tick over.
I then attempted to change the oil with Mobil 1 0w 40w but could not raise the car as too low! neither my jack or ramps were suitable because I could not get them underneath the bodywork!
SO.... a load of "firsts" today but still brings a massive smile to my face upon start up! My 11 year old son has nick named her "The Beast"!!!
Thanks again.
The information provided is excellent and mine is similar to the picture. BUT the measurement is all over the place with a little oil here and there! There is some at the very top of the flat section along with a long streak from the marks to this area. Maybe I should leave the car longer than 2 hours!! I have never known anything like it and that is the reason for my post!
OK, measure between the marks as I thought. BUT do I push the dipstick all the way in as this does involve a twist to get the plastic cover part of the handle over the pipe? As it turned out I had to move the car anyway and started her up again and no oil light! Took her for a short spin down the road and all well with 40ish measuring on the oil pressure on tick over.
I then attempted to change the oil with Mobil 1 0w 40w but could not raise the car as too low! neither my jack or ramps were suitable because I could not get them underneath the bodywork!
SO.... a load of "firsts" today but still brings a massive smile to my face upon start up! My 11 year old son has nick named her "The Beast"!!!
Thanks again.
Oil Pressure Gauge and Low Pressure Warning light are entirely separate systems, so if the light is flickering but the gauge is reading 30+ then it would be worth changing the oil pressure switch.
However if the gauge is reading 10 when the light is flickering then you probably do have an oil pressure issue. At that point in desperation I would change the oil and filter and cross all fingers.
Next there is a oil pressure relief valve spring that you can change, it only costs a fiver and isn't impossible to change, and it can make a difference. In fact do that anyway.
There is a known oil pump failure mode (due to auxiliary drive shaft failure), but it requires a complete engine rebuild to fix, hopefully that isn't the issue.
However if the gauge is reading 10 when the light is flickering then you probably do have an oil pressure issue. At that point in desperation I would change the oil and filter and cross all fingers.
Next there is a oil pressure relief valve spring that you can change, it only costs a fiver and isn't impossible to change, and it can make a difference. In fact do that anyway.
There is a known oil pump failure mode (due to auxiliary drive shaft failure), but it requires a complete engine rebuild to fix, hopefully that isn't the issue.
Mr Cerbera said:
HiYa 
Welcome tp The Madhouse :happy:
I have an '01 4.5 and my dipstick ends like this....
So it's fairly easy for me to see what my level is.
Perhaps you don't have an "original" dipstick ?
Best o'
Oops, mine has no H and L on it so for years I have filled it up to the little hole in the stick. Doesn't seem to have done any harm though.Welcome tp The Madhouse :happy:
I have an '01 4.5 and my dipstick ends like this....
So it's fairly easy for me to see what my level is.
Perhaps you don't have an "original" dipstick ?
Best o'
ukkid35 said:
Oil Pressure Gauge and Low Pressure Warning light are entirely separate systems, so if the light is flickering but the gauge is reading 30+ then it would be worth changing the oil pressure switch.
The oil pressure switch on mine seems to be a service item, it get changed almost every year.2 have blown apart causing an oil leak of biblical proportions.
The other just stop working.
ukkid35 said:
Wolvesboy said:
I then attempted to change the oil with Mobil 1 0w 40w but could not raise the car as too low!
That was lucky as 0w40 is not recommended.The owners manual states Mobil Delvac 15w40 or Mobil 1 5w50.
I read 0w 40w somewhere also. I didn't mean to begin a oil thread though! Has 96k miles so a thicker oil may be better.
Will do the oil pressure switch (inc. spring) as a matter of course. Thanks for that.
Still not sure how to get up in the air at home - my jack or ramps are not viable. What methods are used by others please?
Have got a load of jobs to do:
Dry carpets in footwells and seal various access points
Sort out heater switch as nothing happening and only blows cold through cold switch!
Drain some oil and recheck etc
Off side headlight too high (about 45degrees)!!! access through wheel arch?
No doubt will be loads more but one thing (or 3) at a time!
Will do the oil pressure switch (inc. spring) as a matter of course. Thanks for that.
Still not sure how to get up in the air at home - my jack or ramps are not viable. What methods are used by others please?
Have got a load of jobs to do:
Dry carpets in footwells and seal various access points
Sort out heater switch as nothing happening and only blows cold through cold switch!
Drain some oil and recheck etc
Off side headlight too high (about 45degrees)!!! access through wheel arch?
No doubt will be loads more but one thing (or 3) at a time!
Hi Wolvesboy,
I bought one of these low profile trolley jacks, it helps get it off the ground then you can get it onto axle stands then if i need to get it higher i place the trolley jack on something sturdy like a couple of bricks or a piece of 8"x8" timber then jack up for a second time. And so on.
I see you are in Aus, i guess they will have something similar there.
It would be intresting to see a picture of your dipstick
as there seem to be some different types in use, and some dip from the front of the engine and some dip from the back of the engine.
A picture of it un-dipped and a picture of it dipped would be helpful.........
I bought one of these low profile trolley jacks, it helps get it off the ground then you can get it onto axle stands then if i need to get it higher i place the trolley jack on something sturdy like a couple of bricks or a piece of 8"x8" timber then jack up for a second time. And so on.
I see you are in Aus, i guess they will have something similar there.
It would be intresting to see a picture of your dipstick
as there seem to be some different types in use, and some dip from the front of the engine and some dip from the back of the engine.A picture of it un-dipped and a picture of it dipped would be helpful.........
You'll find the Oil Pressure Switch in the Engine pdf here
http://www.tvr-cerbera.co.uk/workshopmanuals.html
http://www.tvr-cerbera.co.uk/workshopmanuals.html
Just get two house bricks, one for each tyre, and drive up on them. You will now find you can get your jack to either front chassis cross beam, or rear outriggers.
Be very careful jacking the rear. Always go as inboard as you can on the outrigger. If you hear creaking body stop, your outrigger is probably rotten and its bending up toward the body.
Be very careful jacking the rear. Always go as inboard as you can on the outrigger. If you hear creaking body stop, your outrigger is probably rotten and its bending up toward the body.
Hi,
Just read though the PDFs provided and seems as if they must be for the Speed 6 as my engine top only has the one rail with AJP8 on it. Not a "H" as indicated in the diagrams.
Am I correct in presuming the Oil Pressure Switch is in the same place as indicated by the PDFs ( to the side of the rear coil)? I'm removing it before ordering a new one as two different switch examples provided on the TVR Parts web site.
I will attempt to provide pics of dipstick a little later.
Thanks
Just read though the PDFs provided and seems as if they must be for the Speed 6 as my engine top only has the one rail with AJP8 on it. Not a "H" as indicated in the diagrams.
Am I correct in presuming the Oil Pressure Switch is in the same place as indicated by the PDFs ( to the side of the rear coil)? I'm removing it before ordering a new one as two different switch examples provided on the TVR Parts web site.
I will attempt to provide pics of dipstick a little later.
Thanks
Apologies in advance re the long post.......
Photo of my dipstick! Looks the same as others and located at front of engine. Have to twist it to fix it also.[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/1nby0C4W[/url]
Definitely too much oil as above the furthest mark and above the little hole. Will change the oil probably using 5w 40w - how much to fill if changing oil filter as well?
Whilst scouting around for the Oil Pressure a Switch I noticed a few other things that may need my urgent attention! I'm posting them as numbers 1 & 3 may need to be sorted asap.
1) I'm sure there should be a tube from the metal piece in the middle (EGR/ air flow?) I'm not sure
2) Just realised the previous owner must have removed the windscreen wash jets as none there, just an open tube!
3)
I'm not sure where this end goes - it is a braided hose and ll
Oops very much like a brake line!
Sorry about the long post but I definitely need some help here!
Thanks.
Photo of my dipstick! Looks the same as others and located at front of engine. Have to twist it to fix it also.[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/1nby0C4W[/url]Definitely too much oil as above the furthest mark and above the little hole. Will change the oil probably using 5w 40w - how much to fill if changing oil filter as well?
Whilst scouting around for the Oil Pressure a Switch I noticed a few other things that may need my urgent attention! I'm posting them as numbers 1 & 3 may need to be sorted asap.
1) I'm sure there should be a tube from the metal piece in the middle (EGR/ air flow?) I'm not sure
2) Just realised the previous owner must have removed the windscreen wash jets as none there, just an open tube!
3)
I'm not sure where this end goes - it is a braided hose and ll
Oops very much like a brake line!
Sorry about the long post but I definitely need some help here!
Thanks.
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