Oil Pressure/Power steering loss problem!
Oil Pressure/Power steering loss problem!
Author
Discussion

Malam

Original Poster:

719 posts

233 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
Yesterday I lost all oil pressure and power steering at the same time. The oil light also came on..The engine didn't make any noises, so I don't think any damage has been done to the engine itself.

I had renewed the oil pressure relief spring the night before. The spring that I replaced was broken, although I couldn't find any other broken pieces inside (or the ball bearing, which I have just discovered should be there).

Since owning the car, the pressure has sat at 30psi when cold and dropped to 10psi when hot. After replacing the spring I was getting 70psi, and 55ish when hot.

What has caused the loss in oil pressure and power steering? Help please!

BLUETHUNDER

7,881 posts

290 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
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This might sound silly.But have you checked the belt around the crank pulley?

Malam

Original Poster:

719 posts

233 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
I have, belt is intact!

shpub

8,507 posts

302 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
The oil, water and PAS pump are all driven by the same jack shaft. If both oil pressure and PAS have gone then I suspect that the shaft has snapped or a woodruff key has gone causing no drive. This also drives the water pump so I would not drive the car at all or start the engine as the chances are, it will damage the engine.

Time for some serious TLC I'm afraid.

Gazzab

21,663 posts

312 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
ouch
afraid that is engine out time.

Malam

Original Poster:

719 posts

233 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
I knew I should've bought a Porsche lol

Malam

Original Poster:

719 posts

233 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
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any more ideas before i rip the engine out?

ro_butler

795 posts

301 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
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Malam said:
any more ideas before i rip the engine out?
Nope. I think shpub is spot on. Sorry cry

jonbarrett

800 posts

232 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
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I'm reading the AJP rebuild manual at the moment. The pump assembly seems to be a neat space saving idea as they all take their power from a common drive train. I'll have to check but I'm sure each pump element is driven by a key which can always be a weak point. If I can offer any help with pics or descriptions let me know. I'm assuming that if a key has gone, provided the shaft is undamaged, reassembly with a new key should be possible.

Take care with the shaft. When Woodruff keys have failed on other drive systems I've owned, there is a danger it may have distorted the key slot. Also, debris can be drawn into the gap and gall the shaft. I have read reports on this forum that early keys may have been under engineered.

I have no experience with this pump assembly but in the past I have remilled the shaft slot, rebroached the driven element and fitted a slightly larger key. It depends on how much metal is available.

Please discuss this with someone experienced in pump assembly renovation as these are just suggestions.

jonbarrett

800 posts

232 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
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Reading your first post, replacing the oil pressure control control spring clearly upped the oil pressure significantly. Naturally, this would have increased the pump's torque and power consumption. I guess this would have highlighted any weakness.