Wierd Oil Pressure readings.

[Bladesman29]

Hi, just been out for a quick spin in the Chim, and noticed the oil pressure gauge goes off the scale when I started it up, then went all the way down to zero, then back up to 100psi, where it stopped for a while before settling down at 90 whilst idling. There is no oil pressure warning light on, but it has got me really worried. Has anyone had this happen to them, or is it just a dodgy gauge?

[monstergrowler]

Im no expert here but I would of thought it more likely to be the sender then the guage.
Might be worth checking the wiring is okay and has good contact to the sender first.

[Rum Runner]

its likely to be the sender , the wire to the sender is quite thick and does not bend very easy with the engine rock, sometimes as well there is not much slack between the cable tie on the chassis and the terminal on the sender,this causes the terminal inside the sender to work loose causing dodgy readings .Sounds like its earthing if going to max . You have to buy the TVR sender which is about £50 , to work the TVR gauges Land Rover ones are no good .Neil at http://www.tvrcarparts.com/pages/default.asp.
Note :-
If you take the wire off and it reads 0 then earth it and it reads max , then the gauge should be o.k.

]

Edited by Rum Runner on Thursday 20th September 21:42

[Bladesman29]

Just a thought, but what is the problem if the oil pressure is over 90psi?

[Rum Runner]

Mine was all over the place , when i grabbed the terminal on the sender .It was reading big numbers then next thing really low , can't remember what the max reading is , but if the wire is taken off and earthed the gauge should read max if left just off then zero .Also the terminal on the wire end can get loose because of the stiff wire / movement of the engine .

Edited by Rum Runner on Friday 21st September 00:41

[spend]

Bladesman29 said:

Just a thought, but what is the problem if the oil pressure is over 90psi?

Probably lots of oil leaks, seals are only designed for a limited pressure You will possibly be draining power & wearing out the oil pump/gears?

Dave

[slideways]

I had the same problems, i took the connector off and gave it a proper clean with degreasent and reconnected it problem solved.

[MrE]

So what is a 'normal' oil pressure?

[Rum Runner]

30-40 psi if Serp motor, depending on what grade of oil you use. Thin stuff will show less when warm.