Oil Pressure 350i

[John042]

Hi, are all oil pressure readings that slow to indicate? Mine, on start up seems to take a good 1/2 minute to climb up the scale, although the oil pressure light goes out immediate on starting. Was thinking of buying another pressure sender to compare. Cheers JC

[KKson]

Yes definitely sensor. I had the same on my 350i so fitted a new one and problem solved.

[colin mee]

I changed mine to the pipe type a lot more reliable. Colin

[John042]

Thanks Keith. Is the sensor a standard Rover V8 one? Some posts contain problems with thread sizes etc or is that a result of trying to fit generic units? J C.

[KKson]

Hi John, you need to be careful that the pressure sender unit is matched to your gauge. Typically TVR used VDO units and Stewart Warner units. On my 350i I tried a few different sensors before i found the correct one.

My gauges are all SW ones and I found a very reasonable sender unit for £10, which has worked faultlessly for the last 3 years.

Below are links to two related historic threads, with details of the various issues and sender units. Thread wise there are two sizes -1/4th NPT and 1/8th NPT. On my car thread size is the smaller 1/8th NPT but when I bought the sender it also came with a small 1/4 to 1/8 adaptor.

Cheers.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[John042]

Thanks again Keith. No markings on the gauge face other than TVR. My Chims gauges were marked VDO. So could I assume my 350i's are the SW type? Gratefull for any thoughts. J C.

[KKson]

Post up a picture of your gauge so we can see it.

[John042]

Hi Keith, please see attach pic' of my 350i oil pressure gauge. Cheers J C.

[KKson]

Same as mine. It's a Stewart Warner unit.

[John042]

Thanks Keith. So which sender? Would a generic unit work or would it need calibrating to the gauge? J C.

[KKson]

Hi, here is a link to the technical data for the one I bought for £10 that worked fine. You need to make sure the unit is suitable for the 100psi full scale deflection with maximum resistance of 33 to 240 ohms.

http://vi.vipr.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...

There is a very similar one from the same supplier also for £10, but technical data says 0 to 120psi, but as the resistance is the same it may well work okay. For £10 it's probably worth a try.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oil-pressure-senders-1-...

[John042]

Thanks Keith, I seem to remember thread size is1/8 so as you say for £10 it's worth a shot. Thanks again for the info. J C.