Sagaris Oil Pressure Quirk

[phoenixz]

The oil pressure warning comes on during "spirited" driving, but only whilst going round a corner. the sharper the corner, the longer the alarm is on for.

I assume that it is simply a sensor issue and the alarm is only on for a few seconds each time, but it is a little disconcerting.

any suggestions, fixes or other possible reasons for the fault?

Thanks,
Phoenixz

P.S. Oil doesn't need topped up and is a "good" colour

[YRRunner]

phoenixz said:

P.S. Oil doesn't need topped up and is a "good" colour

You might be surprised. Gauging the actual amount of oil is a lot harder than most other cars and can be very deceiving. It's even a struggle sometimes to SEE fresh, hot oil on the dipstick most of the time! If the level is only a litre or so down, then during hard cornering the swirl (sideways gravity) will be enough to set the pressure alarm off.

[Hollowpockets]

As Mark says, it's probably a bit low, best to check it again on level ground, with the engine on and off to see what the reading is. It could still be a sensor but just make sure there's the right amount of oil in there.

All it takes is a couple of seconds worth of low oil pressure to cause oil starvation and kill bearings.

[jrb43]

Isn't one of the benefits of dry sump supposed to be that it's not affected by cornering? Does sound as if it really is low. Unless cornering is straining a dodgy sensor.

[YRRunner]

jrb43 said:

Isn't one of the benefits of dry sump supposed to be that it's not affected by cornering? Does sound as if it really is low. Unless cornering is straining a dodgy sensor.

True, to a point, a dry sump does eliminate sloshing about in the sump as it's dry, but the baffle that exists in the bottom of the S6 oil tank unfortuantely doesn't work well enough at preventing sloshing about, especially if the oil is slightly down. A good tip I got from Graham Varley on a track day was, (if you're unsure about the level), when cold, stick a thin inspection pen torch down the fill tube and put enough oil in to just cover the baffle plate at the bottom of the oil tank. This level should always ensure that you won't get any starvation. It's a safeguard only, but be careful not to overfill. And don't drop the pen torch down the tube!!!

[RedSpike66]

I can confirm that it's quite possible to get this on spirited driving round bends (especially track days) in the Sag, and you can quite easily think (and be right) that your oil level is normal and fine. Happened to me at Castle Coombe (lots of fast right handers) having only had the 12k service 1000miles earlier, and adding a litre of oil cured the problem.

[phoenixz]

thanks all for the suggestions, i will test the level again and add some oil. i'll let you know of the results.

thanks again

phoenixz

[jrb43]

YRRunner said:

True, to a point, a dry sump does eliminate sloshing about in the sump as it's dry, but the baffle that exists in the bottom of the S6 oil tank unfortuantely doesn't work well enough at preventing sloshing about, especially if the oil is slightly down. A good tip I got from Graham Varley on a track day was, (if you're unsure about the level), when cold, stick a thin inspection pen torch down the fill tube and put enough oil in to just cover the baffle plate at the bottom of the oil tank. This level should always ensure that you won't get any starvation. It's a safeguard only, but be careful not to overfill. And don't drop the pen torch down the tube!!!

That's excellent - thanks. That Graham Varley has never appeared in the new year's honours list continues to disgust me