Oil pumps and pressure relief spring? Should I replace?

[Fox McIntyre]

I think I need a new one. With the oil hot, my new pressure gauge (which is VDO) reads negliable at idle and about 1.2BAR at 2000 RPM. I'm surprised that the warning light doesn't come on. (the system does appear to work, it takes a while for it to go off after an oil change)

The engine is coming up to 120,000 miles now, with real problems so to speak of in terms of running- the water jacket seals seeped for a while but bunged themselfs up again so I'm not worrying about them and it uses and leaks a tiny bit of oil over a couple of months. Basicly, no smoke, od noises bar the tappets being a little louder than I'd like (but that seems to be the norm) and I wonder if a new oil pump would either do it good or just be too much for the 20Y/O rest of engine to cope.
I put a new oil pump in my 1.6 Golf at 210,000 miles and it was like a new car, tappets went quiet instanly, had double the minimum oil presure and was generaly great.
But I'm worried a new pump in my WBX will cause trouble, like leaks, ect, knowing they are a little more fragile than the time honoured inline 4 8V..
Any thoughts/expeience?

Also, whats the difference between a 1.9 and a 2.1 pump, and would the 2.1 pump fit and be an advantage or would it just be a silly idea?

Rich

[Fox McIntyre]

No one can help me so far then?
Have looked into oil pressure problems via search, I think I'm going to trakc down a new oil pressure relief valve spring first and clean that out and replace the spring.
If I do it with oil still inthe van, how much will pi$$ out when I take the big bung thing out then??

Rich

[tinman]

You shouldn't get too much oil come out but there will be a bit!

[Fox McIntyre]

Cheers.. I spoke to one of the engine builders at Elite and he said even if the spring is buggered, it won't account for the pressure being so low at idle when the maximum pressure cutout works fine. I am going to replace the pump (upon thier recommendation) ASAP when funds allow and just clean and check the pressure relif system for now. What is the lenth of the spring when new? Anyone know?
Springs are obselete from VW now anyway

Rich

[ghost123uk]

Interesting thread

I always thought that low oil pressure at tickover when hot was down to worn shell bearings and / or crank journals and that anyone who thought simply fitting a new pump was being overly optimistic !

However your experience with the Golf motor suggests this is not always the case, so it will be informative to find out if a WBX engine sometimes benefits (goes quieter) from a pump change. ( Let us know )

Re the spring, I wonder if Elite Et Al fit new pressure relief springs, I would think they would ?

Laurie Petit (on here) would likely know where to get them.

p.s. - mind you with your oil pressure gauge you can see if it is opening too early (and therefore needs replacing).

.

[Fox McIntyre]

Interesting thread

I always thought that low oil pressure at tickover when hot was down to worn shell bearings and / or crank journals and that anyone who thought simply fitting a new pump was being overly optimistic !

However your experience with the Golf motor suggests this is not always the case, so it will be informative to find out if a WBX engine sometimes benefits (goes quieter) from a pump change. ( Let us know )

Re the spring, I wonder if Elite Et Al fit new pressure relief springs, I would think they would ?

Laurie Petit (on here) would likely know where to get them.

p.s. - mind you with your oil pressure gauge you can see if it is opening too early (and therefore needs replacing).

.

I did ask if Elite had the springs for the WBX and they said they did but i probably wouldn't need one. I imagine a combo of new oil pump, a good 20-50 and higher oil pressure would probably keep worn bearings a bit happier than no pressure at all at idle. Seeing as a pump isn't going to cost the earth I will dive in and do it.
I should hope my bearings are not all that worn to be fair, this van has had more than an easy life, never carrying loads, not many motorway miles and having a full VW service history. But I know that kindof counts for nothing but its a start.
The Golf pump had some pretty impressive scoring on the pump face when I took it out so I have some idea of what I'm comparing to, if that makes sense.

I'll let you know what happens

Rich