oil pressure

[boon]

have put a deposit on a 1998 chim 5 litre on the spur of the moment bit mad i know but there ya go. Problem is oil gauge seems low but i was assured this was fine (by the seller!) what should it read ? this is my first tvr so don't know diddly squat. also speedo doesn't register till 20 mph is this correct? Cheers folks

[bigblockmark]

When hot,you
r oil gauge wont go much over 30psi,seems low i know but perfectly normal.Will drop lower at
idle when very hot.Have 2 mates with 500 chims and both are the same.Speedo seems odd though.Hope you get it,they are MENTAL.

[tovey]

just like you matey

[boon]

cheers mark you have put my mind at ease. Just gotta sell house now! anyone want a four bed victorian in yorkshire? honest its on the market!

[kdd]

don't know if it's right/normal, but our speedo does that too.

ours is a 4 litre. oil pressure is (indicated) at around 45psi when warm, and driving along.

[RCA]

My oil pressure is just above 30 when cold and just below when hot and always has been!!

[GarryM]

I guess they are all a bit different but my 500 holds just under 45psi when hot only dropping to 30psi when at idle (and hot).

I've noticed the pressure has dropped slightly since I've had it (2 yrs) when it used to hold 45psi or slightly more.

[simpo two]

boon said:

have put a deposit on a 1998 chim 5 litre on the spur of the moment... this is my first tvr so don't know diddly squat.

However, don't panic cos for some inexplicable reason TVR recommend very thin oil (0/40) which basically falls out of the bottom and gives very low oil pressure. So yes, the seller probably wasn't bullshitting. With 0/40 I'd expect 30psi when cold and less than 10 when hot and idling. I now use 15/50 which give about 45 and 20 respectively.
As for the speedo, cheapest advice is to live with it.

Have a fantastic time!

[GarryM]

I use 0/40 and until now I thought the norm was c.45psi. I do know the pre-serp engines run at a lower pressure but the cars here seem to be serp ones so

[kdd]

yep, ours is a serp.

[spend]

From my fumbling about, oil pressure seems to be related closely to temperature.

I upgraded my cooling system so that I can keep the car at 72C, also added oil cooler. I seem to remember it ran
@90C 5-40 psi, @80C 10-45 psi. After upgrading & changing to 15/50 rarely drops below 25psi at tickover.

Temps are water temps, dont have oil temp guage yet.

But I am surprised in current climate that oil pressure is low - expect it to be worse when very hot. However gauges are not always accurate.

Dave

[rottey]

From our experience I would strongly recommend you have an independent inspection of the 500. This would not only put your mind at rest on the oil pressure it will also make sure you are not buying a money pit.

Mike

[boon]

Cheers for all the info folks . Much appreciated.
great site this it's like were all brothers (and sisters)of course.
will be in touch with more probs i'm sure but for now ta very much