Oil pressure problem
Discussion
Started the car last night around 8pm and the oil pressure light didn't go off and the pressure gauge read zero. Checked again this morning, obviously didn't want to drive anywhere, and it did same thing. It had only been a day and a half since it was last driven.
So I ring the RAC to take me and my car to the TVR garage. When the RAC bloke arrives the car starts, the pressure light goes off and the pressure guage reads a normal level. It had only been an hour.
Any ideas? My garage has suggested it could be the pressure release valve stuck open. But would the release valve unstick itself.
I'm a bit worried this may happen again.
So I ring the RAC to take me and my car to the TVR garage. When the RAC bloke arrives the car starts, the pressure light goes off and the pressure guage reads a normal level. It had only been an hour.
Any ideas? My garage has suggested it could be the pressure release valve stuck open. But would the release valve unstick itself.
I'm a bit worried this may happen again.
This happened to me earlier this year after I'd had the front of the car jacked up to fit new exhaust manifolds.
Unfortunately mine did not correct itselflike yours did. I had to reprime the oil pump with vaseline and use the Adam Quantrill method of putting oil down the oil filter housing too. It then primed itself and has been no problems since. I have not replaced the valve yet either as it seems to be fine now. It has had an oil change since then and the pump did not need repriming. !!
The joys of wedge ownership !!
Nige'
Unfortunately mine did not correct itselflike yours did. I had to reprime the oil pump with vaseline and use the Adam Quantrill method of putting oil down the oil filter housing too. It then primed itself and has been no problems since. I have not replaced the valve yet either as it seems to be fine now. It has had an oil change since then and the pump did not need repriming. !!
The joys of wedge ownership !!
Nige'
I does sound very like a stuck relief valve - its a known problem. Debris gets caught between the steel cylinder and the alloy tunnel. I suppose it's possible it may have unstuck itself, but I would take off the cover and check for burrs in the valve housing. If its happened once, chances are it'll happen again. While you're at it, I'd suggest replacing the gears, the valve itself and the spring. Not that expensive. Of course you'll then need to prime the pump by packing with vaseline when re-assembling.
7.
7.
Mine sometimes has no oil pressure after I have done an oil change or left it for a long time. Most of the time, it will return after a few seconds of the engine running. If I'm in doubt, I remove a wire from the coil so that the car can't fire, and turn the engine over on the starter for a few seconds just to help the preasure build up without the engine actually starting. I know its not a "cure" for the problem, but if you're out somewhere it may be something to try instead of calling for backup!
Dan.
Dan.
digga951 said:
If I'm in doubt, I remove a wire from the coil so that the car can't fire, and turn the engine over on the starter for a few seconds just to help the preasure build up without the engine actually starting.
Dan.
Its also a good idea to disable the fuelling by pulling the pump relay or fuse. That way it can't get flooded.
7.
Replaced the relief valve and spring a couple of weeks ago. Engine has done 170.000 km now and the oil pressure gauge showed strange movements. Replacement took about half an hour, including the planned oil change. Then poored oil in the the remote filter hoses, took ignition out, electric drill to drive the pump and it was primed in 15 seconds. I don't bother with vaseline, and filling the hoses with oil is like Adams method (I think.....), running the pump directly with check of pressure just to be sure before I start.
Oil pressure is back to stable again. But then the ECU decides to let go, but that is another story.
Rob
Oil pressure is back to stable again. But then the ECU decides to let go, but that is another story.
Rob
Nice to see the old method still being used, yes occasionally the pump can empty itself, especially if the oil level is on the low side in the sump, or when changing the oil and filter. Perhaps after the first start you were almose there and it just needed a little more cranking to sort out.
The Rover V8 can survive low oil pressure for quite a while, I once drove a P5B for about 4 miles with almost no oil in there due to a leak, and the next day the tappets rattled like buggery for 10 minutes while I idled the engine after filling it. No ill effects after that, though. So you can crank it and run it on idle for 30 seconds or so without doing much damage I would have thought. In fact when I have seen this happen (after an oil change), a quick blip on the throttle to 1000rpm usually pulls the oil through.
The Rover V8 can survive low oil pressure for quite a while, I once drove a P5B for about 4 miles with almost no oil in there due to a leak, and the next day the tappets rattled like buggery for 10 minutes while I idled the engine after filling it. No ill effects after that, though. So you can crank it and run it on idle for 30 seconds or so without doing much damage I would have thought. In fact when I have seen this happen (after an oil change), a quick blip on the throttle to 1000rpm usually pulls the oil through.
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