350i Oil Pressure.

[John042]

Hi, on a 80k 350i engine what's the acceptable oil pressure before concern? Mine seems to run at between 25 to 50 psi using fully synthetic 10w40 oil. I seem to remember on my Chim it was considered flow rate was important. Would using 20w50 be more beneficial? Thanks J C.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi John


10/40w is too thin...you need 20/50w...your oil pressure sounds about right....


Ziga

[rev-erend]

That sounds very healthy.

Change it regularly, yearly or every 6K.

[adam quantrill]

I change mine every 3k, and 20W/50 is the way to go, your current pressure sounds fine on 10W whatever.

If the engine is hot, on idle it can drop even more to 15 of so PSI, this is normal.

Another thing to watch with oil is - don't leave the engine on tickover to warm it up, as oil won't be getting up to the rockers too much and hence not a lot dribbling down onto the camshaft, best thing you can do is keep the revs peaking up to 1500-2000 for the first few miles until some warmth appears on the gauge.

[mrzigazaga]

Or...whilst it is still warming up...drive it but do not cane it..once warmed up to temp...cane it!!!

[John042]

Thanks all. Not bad then for a static 18 years? Did review a few posts with suspect pressure senders. Must admit I like the smell of 20w40 mineral oil. Come on, as if I'd "Cane it" Next task is the hood replacement, not that it will be used much. Cheers all.

[John042]

Sorry for got to ask about tickover rpm. Mine seems happy at about 1000 rpm. If I slow it down to 800 ish it stalls very easily whilst pulling away. The clutch has a very on/off action. Is this possibly an upgraded clutch being fitted from new? To compensate for the uprated engine, 235bhp as ordered by the original owner and confirmed by the bill of sale? Any thoughts please. Also I have the original servicing wallet complete with owners handbook/service schedules and record books etc. Didn't they expect 350i's to do more than 54k miles? As the service book only goes up that far? Thankyou for any thoughts. J C

[adam quantrill]

Clutch can be very harsh when first fitted but after a few hundred miles softens off a bit.

Do you have PAS or not - with PAS 950 is probably appropriate and without 850-900 as per SD1 vitesse specs.

Is that 235 "TVR BHP"? Probably nearer 200 then ;^)

[KKson]

Both of mine are set to tick over at 1000 to 1100 rpm. With lights on and full lock on the power steering it's easy to stall at anything less.

[mrzigazaga]

800rpm is too low for a 350i, different if it was a 400-450SE...950-1000rpm is good..

[John042]

Hi Adam, no power steering. It does seem happier at around 1000 rpm at idle. TVR's/ Rover's power claims were a little enthusiastic! Cost the original owner a few extra beer tokens though to specify when purchased.

[adam quantrill]

Ahh it probably paid for Ned's lunch for a few weeks....

[John042]

Hi Adam, true I hope he enjoyed the proceeds. I wonder what differences TVR/Rover did to the engines they uprated? I think the standard Vitesse engine was about 185/190 bhp?

[adam quantrill]

Rover figures put it at 195 on a 3.5i (it was 145 ish on twin SU's in the P6). The TVR manifolds probably released a few horses, so the quoted 210 was probably not far off.

After that, things seemed to get a little silly.

[mrzigazaga]

I think 185 was a more realistic figure, mine was surprisingly 184 ..after 30 years that is not bad!

[John042]

According to the original bill of sale I have, one of the optional extras was the fitting of the uprated engine at 235 bhp. Costing from memoury £1420?

[mrzigazaga]

Touch

[John042]

Still wonder what TVR did to the engine to make that uprated claim? Charged well though, whatever.