Low oil pressure and rattling

[richy759]

After starting my Chim and running for about 30 secs, all is fine. Then I notice I have no oil pressure and the oil light is on
I gave the engine a quick blip and it sounded rattly. I stopped it and checked the oil level (3/4 up to max). I realised I had to move the car because I had just stopped on the side of a narrow road and was getting in the way. I started the car (not so wise I'm sure) and all was fine, the pressure up to normal and no oil light so I carried on my journey home.

Does this sound like the oil pump is on the way out?
I guess rattling is a sign of the followers not getting oil and as far as I understand the oil light and oil pressure gauge are independant so I'm a bit worried now

Oh yeah, it's a '98 500

Thanks in advance,
Rich

Edit: just been looking in the bible and it mentions a pressure release valve. Are these easy to get to and replace?

Edited by richy759 on Saturday 5th April 20:42

[MADMAX2]

Oil pressure sensor playing up??

[richy759]

light was on too...
They are independant AFAIK.

[spend]

richy759 said:

light was on too...
They are independant AFAIK.

Correct

I don't think the pressure relief valve is such a problem with the serp engines, I'd be looking for a new filter (make sure its an anti-drain back one as most are) or poss oil pickup problems (crap in sump / loose pipe..).

Dave

[Johno]

spend said:

richy759 said:

light was on too...
They are independant AFAIK.

Correct

I don't think the pressure relief valve is such a problem with the serp engines, I'd be looking for a new filter (make sure its an anti-drain back one as most are) or poss oil pickup problems (crap in sump / loose pipe..).

Dave

Is it a pre serp 500 ? Not sure whether they did a Chimaera pre serp 500 . . . Some earlier cars have a single oil light and pressure gauge indicator into the engine, and therefore you would have no pressure and no light, where as later car's you may get very low pressure, but no light . . .

If it a pre serp then it does sound like the pressure relief valve sticking . . .

[richy759]

Its a serp.
Sounds like another one of those problems thats not easily diagnosed.
Thanks guys, might have a tinker at some point if I have time and it stops snowing!
Rich

[Pink_Floyd]

Yep snowing real hard, not a good day for working on cars. The oil pressure sensor and the switch are defiantly 2 separate items. If its resolved itself then it wil be hard to diagnoose. Its possible that the lifters were the ratteling noise that you heard as the oil drains out of them with no oil pressure.