low oil pressure

[leebus]

hi all! ive recently given my 99 griff 500 an oil an filter change, using genuine filter and carlube 5/30 synthetic oil!
But have noticed when shes up to temperature the oil pressure seems to show near as damit show zero
Is this normal as im sure it was around 10 before?
Do i have to change the oil again? thanks lee

[Aaron C. Reskew]

The oil you have used is a bit thin really. Better to use a good 15W/50 like Millers motorsport,Mobil 1 or Castrol 10W/60.
Also check the spade connector on the sender is in good order and a tight fit.

[red griff 500]

I would just add to the above response that if you're using Mobil 1, use the "Motorsport" spec rather than regular Mobil 1 cos its thicker and more appropriate for these engines IMHE (E for Experience)!

[Aaron C. Reskew]

Yes do not use the 0W/40 grade. Millers just happen to use the term 'Motorsport' for their 15W/50 synthetic too (if it is still available).

[v8 racing]

A 30 weight hasnt got a chance in a rover engine of keeping any decent oil pressure you should be aiming for a good 50 weight, silkoline/royal purple etc..

[leebus]

thanks all for your response! i dropped the oil this afternoon and replaced with mobil 1 15/50 and it is back to normal! the oil pressure is fine again

[LastLawyer]

nice to hear that your engine works properly again, since i drive 0w40 standard syntethic "fuel-pump" oil from shell and have no probs at all just wanted to ask you if the oil-pressure-gauge is just "fiddling" when the engine is hot (mine does so but the pressure is ok) or if you really had no pressure at all (can´t really believe that thing cause it would very immediately cause very seriuos damage to your engine).

[v8 racing]

LastLawyer said:

nice to hear that your engine works properly again, since i drive 0w40 standard syntethic "fuel-pump" oil from shell and have no probs at all just wanted to ask you if the oil-pressure-gauge is just "fiddling" when the engine is hot (mine does so but the pressure is ok) or if you really had no pressure at all (can´t really believe that thing cause it would very immediately cause very seriuos damage to your engine).

30 weight oil would definetly cause no oil pressure at idle espiecialy if it is a pre serp engine, the later engines are better at idle!

[that daddy]

i wouldent use a 30 weight oil full stop,unless you were in the north pole in a RV8.That oil is better suited to modern multi valve engines purely because they have much tighter machining tolerances.the RV8 was designed around the times of 20/50 motor oils.i use 0/40 mobil 1 with no problems but i would be happier if it was the original 5/50 it once was,i will be using motul or silkolene next time round its just that the mobil is easily available.5/30 not for the rover v8 im afraid.

[richb]

leebus said:

hi all! ive recently given my 99 griff 500 an oil an filter change, using genuine filter and carlube 5/30 synthetic oil

Lee, I see you have had a few TVRs in your time, out of interest, what made you use 5/30 oil? Rich...

[leebus]

The reason for using 5/30 oil was basically curiosity!
Fortunatelly the cat wasnt killed this time haha