whats this gonna cost?

[c pryor]

Gave my 390 its first real booting since I bought it, and yes I think it is...err
was pumping out something close to its alleged 275bhp, it felt mighty quick even compared to my old 400. Anyway, I digress, upon enjoying the aforementioned blast oil pressure warning light comes on, I stop car, no oil loss, just no pressure.
So, big question, whats it going to cost to have a new pump fitted ?

[Number 7]

Was the gauge still registering pressure when the warning light came on? Maybe just a failed sensor, or a wire adrift. I'd check the easy stuff before thinking about replacing the oil pump. Was the level at the top of the dipstick range, was it under hard cornering that the light came on, did it stay on?
7.

[c pryor]

Faint wisps of smoke came out when I removed the filler cap, AA man agreed it all looked a bit dry and devoid of oil !!

[Number 7]

But what was the gauge showing?

What sometimes happens is that the pressure relief valve can stick open. It's happened to me a couple of times, but only apparent when re-starting, i.e. warning light stays on. Another very rare possibility is that the tooth which drives the oil pump gear on the end of the distributor shaft is damaged or broken. Easy to see once the distributor is removed. Removing the oil pump cover is not too difficult, just need to be careful with the securing bolts. They have a splined head, IIRC a 5/16" ring spanner fits. It is also possible to check if the relief valve is stuck without removing the cover. It's behind one of the large bolt heads on the pump - undo the bolt and the spring and valve should come out. If not, the cover needs to come off.

7.

[Number 7]

This may help:





7.

[Trickie Dickie]

I agree with No.7 - look at the cheapest options first

I did Harewood Hillclimb Driving School in July this year, and after a 3rd slightly exuberant run
got the oil warning light and what seemed at first glance like no oil pressure - and panic-ed

One of the other TVR guys on the day had a look and said "new oil pump"
I then phoned my mechanic (who is a RV8 Expert and engine builder) who told me that he had
never heard of a Rover Oil pump breaking down and that they are virtually "Bullet Proof"

I trailered the car to him (after finishing the hillclimb day doing 4 more runs in my S Type Jaguar automatic!!!)
and he on closer inspection found the pressure relief valve was stuck open. He also said this was a common fault

When we turned the engine on the warning light lit and didn't go out
but when I looked carefully I was actually getting a reading of about 5 PSI on the guage
(ie the pressure did rise slightly and was not stuck on zero)

My mechanic modified the valve so that it can't stick anymore and I have had no trouble since
There are several easy ways of curing this apparantly

Hope that helps - and it isn't a costly fix

Richard

[rev-erend]

Another 'easy fix' and likely case is the gauze strainer in the sump may be blocked .. typically with silicon that well meaning diyers and mechanics have used liberally around the engine.

[c pryor]

Thanks guys, am gonna ask the repair place to check those items first. Trickie, my symptoms sound similar to yours, very low pressure registered on guage, lamp staying on when restarting, am hoping that valve is the problem.
Thats a good diagram No 7, the assembly looks less complex than i first imagined.
Thanks again,
Colin

[adam quantrill]

The pressure valve is 4 and 5 on the diagram, quite easy to get to without disturbing anything else.