Oil pressure - Low and high !

[johns3c]

Following some more than usual inspired driving in my 91 S3C I observed that the oil pressure was very low. Car was shut down and oil level checked after a while. It was at max level and OK. At restart-up I got 40-50 psi straight away , but when keeping 2000 RPM constant the oil prssure fell fairly quickly below 15 psi, and lowre. Next morning, with cold engine, the oil pressure showed almost 80 psi at start-up! Needless to say, I'm not taking any chances. The car will be sitting in the garage untill problem has been found and solved. Any ideas ? Oil pressure sender, Oil pressure regulator - or Oil Pump ? (One thing I have not figured out is where the oil pressure regulator is on the S3C.) Looking forward to some valuable input.

Cheers. John

[Paceracing]

Oil pressure transducer is most likely suspect. If the engine doesn't rattle when the gauge shows 0 psi, the transducer is usually the problem.
They are a very common problem on TVR V6 'S' cars, right up there with throttle pots.
The transducer is located on the nearside engine block around halfway down the block. The unit itself is metal, and cylindrical usually with a black rubber dust boot covering it, and a wire comming from the end of the unit.

Jas.

[mhibbins]

This was the same as mine when I bought it. I took mine to a local garage and they tested the oil pressure for me by screwing a test guage into the same hole that the current sender is in. My engine was fine and I just needed a new sender which is dead easy to fit.

Mark

[johns3c]

Thanks guys ! Oil sender it was.
John