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!
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.
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,
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.
Thanks for the heads up re the wash wipe and fuel pressure release.
I will change the Oil Pressure Switch and see if this stops the oil light from coming on. i had to pop out for 5 mins today and the light is now on during idle and does not go off until about 1800 revs. Oil pressure gauge rock solid at 40. I didn't push it to see if it changed as wanted this sorted first.
Looks like I will need to change my profile from a 4.2 to a 4.5!! I presumed it was a 4.2 from the engine number having "4200" in the middle of it plus the registration check said 4.2! Having now checked the ECU (has 4.5 on it), the service records (all stating 4.5) and finally the single rail as pinpointed earlier it is def a 4.5. What a bonus to find your car is better than originally thought! Just shows how an impulse buy can catch you out!
Fingers crossed the OPS sorts out the oil light.
I will change the Oil Pressure Switch and see if this stops the oil light from coming on. i had to pop out for 5 mins today and the light is now on during idle and does not go off until about 1800 revs. Oil pressure gauge rock solid at 40. I didn't push it to see if it changed as wanted this sorted first.
Looks like I will need to change my profile from a 4.2 to a 4.5!! I presumed it was a 4.2 from the engine number having "4200" in the middle of it plus the registration check said 4.2! Having now checked the ECU (has 4.5 on it), the service records (all stating 4.5) and finally the single rail as pinpointed earlier it is def a 4.5. What a bonus to find your car is better than originally thought! Just shows how an impulse buy can catch you out!
Fingers crossed the OPS sorts out the oil light.
Hi All,
The badge on the back states 4.5.
Car is a 1998 and states 4.2 on the official MOT documents and website plus the '4200' in the engine number. However, all the receipts from TVR services (of which there are stacks), label it as a 4.5! I recall reading somewhere there is a crossover at the factory and this maybe where the confusion lies. The single fuel rail, as pointed out, indicates more though as others have pointed out. In its history there is also a brake upgrade along with Nitron shocks to change things more! I will post pics later if anyone interested?
I will try to meet up at a TVR get together in Herts and obviously compare (great advice that). Although I think the second owner has abused this one compared to the first who definitely looked after it. The more I look the more I find needs doing to get this car back to 'normal'! Little aesthetic and cosmetic things can wait though as I definitely bought this to drive!
Ordered the OP Switch and will be changing asap.
I have worked on a few cars in my time but never anything as obviously sourced from different places as this! I'm up to the challenge though! Thanks for the ebay link for the part - much appreciated.
The badge on the back states 4.5.
Car is a 1998 and states 4.2 on the official MOT documents and website plus the '4200' in the engine number. However, all the receipts from TVR services (of which there are stacks), label it as a 4.5! I recall reading somewhere there is a crossover at the factory and this maybe where the confusion lies. The single fuel rail, as pointed out, indicates more though as others have pointed out. In its history there is also a brake upgrade along with Nitron shocks to change things more! I will post pics later if anyone interested?
I will try to meet up at a TVR get together in Herts and obviously compare (great advice that). Although I think the second owner has abused this one compared to the first who definitely looked after it. The more I look the more I find needs doing to get this car back to 'normal'! Little aesthetic and cosmetic things can wait though as I definitely bought this to drive!
Ordered the OP Switch and will be changing asap.
I have worked on a few cars in my time but never anything as obviously sourced from different places as this! I'm up to the challenge though! Thanks for the ebay link for the part - much appreciated.
Just tried to locate and hopefully remove the Oil Pressure Switch. I undid a few cable ties holding various pipes blocking my view towards the rear coil. Where do you move the coil to? (Back, offside, near side)! I could not see anything remotely like an electrical connector to the rear of the block. The access is terrible!
Could someone please point me in the right direction? I have included a photo for reference.
Thanks
Could someone please point me in the right direction? I have included a photo for reference.
Thanks
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