Discussion
Hi,
My oil pressure gauge has been acting a bit strange for some time. It has been reading zero and occasionally rises to about 30psi. As the oil pressure switch was not alarming, I put this down to the transducer being stuffed.
I received a replacement transducer and fitted it this morning. Very easy job, until I started the engine, and there was still a reading of zero.
I put a multimeter over the transducer and started the engine. When switched off, I got a reading of 316 ohms (same as with the old one). This went down to about 310 ohms. This is probably the reading that would take the needle off the stop and up to the 0 psi mark.
My fear now is that the oil pump is air locked and only the air pressure being generated by the pump was enough to throw the pressure switch.
As I've been driving the car, what are the chances that I've fecked it?
I've been reading the bible with regards to priming the pump. Has anyone tried the serpentine priming method (removing plugs etc) and is this always successful?
I really hope I haven't fecked it.....
My oil pressure gauge has been acting a bit strange for some time. It has been reading zero and occasionally rises to about 30psi. As the oil pressure switch was not alarming, I put this down to the transducer being stuffed.
I received a replacement transducer and fitted it this morning. Very easy job, until I started the engine, and there was still a reading of zero.
I put a multimeter over the transducer and started the engine. When switched off, I got a reading of 316 ohms (same as with the old one). This went down to about 310 ohms. This is probably the reading that would take the needle off the stop and up to the 0 psi mark.
My fear now is that the oil pump is air locked and only the air pressure being generated by the pump was enough to throw the pressure switch.
As I've been driving the car, what are the chances that I've fecked it?
I've been reading the bible with regards to priming the pump. Has anyone tried the serpentine priming method (removing plugs etc) and is this always successful?
I really hope I haven't fecked it.....
If you'd been driving the car with no oil pressure you would know it was knackered by now, the valves would be clattering, the bearings rattling and it would probably have overheated before going bang or seizing up.
I suspect your gauge problem may be elsewhere and your oil pressure is fine - though if I'm wrong don't come driving to me!
It might be worth getting a gauge with a tube to connect to check the pressure - even if you have to buy one its cheaper than a dead engine.
Is it pre or post serp?
All IMHO
I suspect your gauge problem may be elsewhere and your oil pressure is fine - though if I'm wrong don't come driving to me!
It might be worth getting a gauge with a tube to connect to check the pressure - even if you have to buy one its cheaper than a dead engine.
Is it pre or post serp?
All IMHO
Edited by Barkychoc on Wednesday 10th December 17:16
Hi Chris
Thanks for the reply. Its a post serp engine.
I think what I did with the transducer was effectively the same as putting a gauge on. It would however be worth a try, just for the peace of mind if nothing else.
I think I'll give the pump priming a go tomorrow and see if this does anything.
Thanks for the reply. Its a post serp engine.
I think what I did with the transducer was effectively the same as putting a gauge on. It would however be worth a try, just for the peace of mind if nothing else.
I think I'll give the pump priming a go tomorrow and see if this does anything.
I assume that you have an oil pressure warning light too? I believe that kicks in at < 7psi oil pressure and is fed from a separate sensor.
(sorry, I've reread your OP and see that you've already noted that your oil pressure warning light isn't activating...)
(sorry, I've reread your OP and see that you've already noted that your oil pressure warning light isn't activating...)
Edited by JonathanT on Wednesday 10th December 17:52
V8 Animal said:
You only have to prime the pump if you've drained the oil and not refilled it for a while IMO
And if your reaching 30 psi randomnly it maybe a faulty guage as you've ruled out the sender.
Any strange noises from the engine?
V8 Animal
Nothing. Sounds good. And if your reaching 30 psi randomnly it maybe a faulty guage as you've ruled out the sender.
Any strange noises from the engine?
V8 Animal
I work away from home of long periods. Could the pump suck in air over a long period or is it always immersed?
I've just bought a pressure gauge off fleebay so hopefully that will put my mind to rest.
Barkychoc said:
I don't know the serp oil pump arrangement well other than its on the crank - but does this suffer the pump priming issue as per the pre serp or did they improve it to conteract this?
Going by the good book, the serpentine is not so prone to priming problems. I guess since there's a section on how to prime it, it's not unheard of.The good news is that I had a good look at the chassis while I was under there, and it's not looking too bad. Thats the next job once this is sorted.
Disconnect the wire on the oil sender and connect a piece of wire to the connector and whilst watching the gauge try touching it to an earth. The gauge should move and this will prove whether it is the gauge or not.
If it is really the oil pressure the you would have 2 problems which is unlikely.
The OIl pressure warning and the oil pressure itself.
The connectot at the pressure switch that you have changed gets vry mucky so you could try cleaning or replacing with a new crimp.
Trev
If it is really the oil pressure the you would have 2 problems which is unlikely.
The OIl pressure warning and the oil pressure itself.
The connectot at the pressure switch that you have changed gets vry mucky so you could try cleaning or replacing with a new crimp.
Trev
WOO5IE said:
Disconnect the wire on the oil sender and connect a piece of wire to the connector and whilst watching the gauge try touching it to an earth. The gauge should move and this will prove whether it is the gauge or not.
If it is really the oil pressure the you would have 2 problems which is unlikely.
The OIl pressure warning and the oil pressure itself.
The connectot at the pressure switch that you have changed gets vry mucky so you could try cleaning or replacing with a new crimp.
Trev
I was at work this morning so haven't done anything worthwhile today. I'll try to short it this afternoon. I guess it should go to full pressure.If it is really the oil pressure the you would have 2 problems which is unlikely.
The OIl pressure warning and the oil pressure itself.
The connectot at the pressure switch that you have changed gets vry mucky so you could try cleaning or replacing with a new crimp.
Trev
Cheers D
All that trouble for very little. I thought I would check the port where the transducer is screwed in. I had a bit of a poke about with the end of a cable tie to see if it was blocked. When I put the transducer back in and fired it up I got just over 30psi. I tried it a few times to see if it was repeatable and it seems to be. I didn't see anything come out or move, but I must have unblocked something.
I could do with going for a quick drive now to celebrate.
Just out of curiosity, I stripped down the old transducer.
When the yoke moves with an increase in pressure, the wiper moves up the resistive wire winding.
Anyway, thanks for all your help.
Cheers D
I could do with going for a quick drive now to celebrate.
Just out of curiosity, I stripped down the old transducer.
When the yoke moves with an increase in pressure, the wiper moves up the resistive wire winding.
Anyway, thanks for all your help.
Cheers D
T JOB!!
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff