Oil pressure relief valve help needed.

[jesfirth]

My oil pressure is running higher than normal now up to 50-60psi and it was always 30-40. So I figured the relief valve was jammed. I have removed the bolt and expected some oil and the spring to drop out. Is that what should happen? No oil and no spring though. I have inserted a small screw driver gently but cannot get any movement inside nor feel the spring or valve.

Advice please.

Edited by jesfirth on Sunday 10th April 16:06

[jesfirth]

Just managed to take a photo of the valve housing - there is something in there does not look at all right?

[phazed]

Hi Jes.

What oil pressure gauge and sender are you using, are using the standard TVR set up?

I have one of the super accurate spa gauges and my oil pressure is always 55 to 65 psi even though it showed much lower on the old original TVR gauge.

I shouldn't worry If I were you.

[jesfirth]

phazed said:

Hi Jes.

What oil pressure gauge and sender are you using, are using the standard TVR set up?

I have one of the super accurate spa gauges and my oil pressure is always 55 to 65 psi even though it showed much lower on the old original TVR gauge.

I shouldn't worry If I were you.

Thanks. I did drive it about. 60 miles after the pressure rose and it all felt ok just with higher pressure. Then found some oil on the garage floor and wondered if ithe pressure was damaging the seals. But see the photo I attached at the same time as your post. - now properly worried. Is it a pig of a job to change the pressure relief valve housing?

[phazed]

The pressure relief valve is part of the front cover. You don't want to remove this if you can help it.

The original senders aren't particularly reliable and accurate. I would replace this before you start taking things apart .

I have a manual oil pressure checking gauge and adapters that you are happy to borrow. If so I can post it to you and you can check it before you start taking everything apart .

[blitzracing]

This is a pre serp engine? On my 1992 engine the oil pressure plunger is accessed behind a big nut as part of the oil pump assembly- there is a known issue with these pressure relief valves- the housing get scored so the plunger jams. You have to drop the plunger out and then using fine wet and dry wrapped around a dowel rod smooth the housing out to free the piston. Items 5 and 6 below.

Edited by blitzracing on Sunday 10th April 17:19

[phazed]

Ah.........

[jesfirth]

phazed said:

The pressure relief valve is part of the front cover. You don't want to remove this if you can help it.

The original senders aren't particularly reliable and accurate. I would replace this before you start taking things apart .

I have a manual oil pressure checking gauge and adapters that you are happy to borrow. If so I can post it to you and you can check it before you start taking everything apart .

thanks for the offer you are a true gent. I fitted a new sender fitted over the winter because the terminal fell off the old one- it worked just fine for the last few months readings 30-40 and the usual 10-15 on tick over then the pressure suddenly rose but I don't think its the sender I would like to check but I don't want to run the engine to check though - you can see in the photo - there seems to be a chunk of bent metal in the recess where the pressure relief valve should be and that's what's worrying me.

[jesfirth]

blitzracing said:

This is a pre serp engine? On my 1992 engine the oil pressure plunger is accessed behind a big nut as part of the oil pump assembly- there is a known issue with these pressure relief valves- the housing get scored so the plunger jams. You have to drop the plunger out and then using fine wet and dry wrapped around a dowel rod smooth the housing out to free the piston. Items 5 and 6 below.

Edited by blitzracing on Sunday 10th April 17:19

Thanks for the advice - the diagram is very helpful. The spring does not seem to be in there! My photo was taken after I removed the large nut and all that seems to be in there is a bit of bent jammed metal that is not the plunger - not sure what is going on!

[Steve_D]

Not looking good.
Should be quite easy to drop the assembly off and inspect it on the bench. At nearly £300 popping a new one on is not an option.

Steve

[jesfirth]

Blitz. A quick question. It looks as though I can remove the bottom half of the oil pump housing by taking out the 5 bolts or does the front cover have to come off as well. It is a pre serp

[carsy]

On a pre serp you dont have to remove the front cover. Just take the oil pump cover off with the tiny bolts. Watch for the actual pump gears falling out.

[carsy]

Looking at your pic. The nut you have removed may just be a blanking plug. The actual nut for the plunger and spring is to the right of the oil filter when looking from the front of the car.

[jesfirth]

carsy said:

Looking at your pic. The nut you have removed may just be a blanking plug. The actual nut for the plunger and spring is to the right of the oil filter when looking from the front of the car.

yes thanks - your note combined with the exploded diagram does help. I will have another look tonight.