Erratic Oil Pressure

[C15]

Took my car for a drive AJP and found that even though the oil level is ok, pressure sometimes erratically drops from 60psi to 10psi or so running.

At standstill idle it drops from 30psi to zero.. Thought it could be a gauge problem or sender problem, where can I find the sender?

Cheers

Steve

[SimonKD]

There isn't a sender if the gauge is the standard type. It just a bourden tube type gauge with a normal pipe leading to the oil pressure tapping point.

Regards
Simon

[FarmyardPants]

Even 30psi is low (let alone zero)

I would get that trailered to a specialist asap!

Regards,
Sherlock

[Steve_T]

Have you checked the oil level?

[Gray_101]

It could be the oil pressure relief valve spring has nearly had it.

Id check it asap, because if it breaks it will wreck the engine.

You have to get under the car and remove the big nut on the side of the oil pump and its in there.

http://www.clever-trevor.net/part/477/oil-pressure...

[C3BER]

Oil low
Spring gone

[C15]

Took it out for a drive earlier this problem didn't happen again??? Idle pressure 35-40psi running again at 60-70psi when warm??

Any more suggestions?

[Gazzab]

Oil low
Spring gone

[tvrfan007]

As above, oil pressure relief spring.

[shoggyraminator]

Might be like this (split) or even in two parts.

[fatjon]

Spring is an easy fix but if that fails to fix it the next possible problem is the woodruff key on the end of the pump assembly. Unfortunately not such an easy fix. One clue is that when it goes you also lose power assisted steering for the few seconds while the cog is slipping as the PAS pump is on the same shaft. If you lose oil pressure and the PAS is still working the spring is much more likely.

[C15]

fatjon said:

Spring is an easy fix but if that fails to fix it the next possible problem is the woodruff key on the end of the pump assembly. Unfortunately not such an easy fix. One clue is that when it goes you also lose power assisted steering for the few seconds while the cog is slipping as the PAS pump is on the same shaft. If you lose oil pressure and the PAS is still working the spring is much more likely.

Sorry a bit of a dumb newbie, last time i had an AJP was in 2002 for 6 months.. had RV8 & SP6 since..

when I first noticed, is that on start it didnt have more than 10psi pressure for 2 secs, then jumped to 40psi..
When engine was warm, no problems as I said 60+psi, and 30+ at idle.

what are typical pressures?

The oil level is full as much as I can make out, thats why I thought gauge problem..

Edited by C15 on Thursday 7th October 11:09

[fatjon]

mine is 70psi cold on idle, 45 hot idle. Running varies very much with rpm but 55-65 typical, bit more at highish rpm.