Oil change now oil pressure light permanently on

[dsmith1974]

Are you sure it's not the oil? 15-40 was good when the engines were new, but I think they're all mostly of an age now where they're better suited to 20-50.

When we got our van it came with 15-40 as the P.O. had to make an emergency re-fill following a leaky OPS. As the engine warmed the oil it was getting too thin and the pressure light would come on at idle.

The problem went away when I replaced the oil with 20-50 and put a new Mann filter on.

[itchyfeet]

Are you sure it's not the oil? 15-40 was good when the engines were new, but I think they're all mostly of an age now where they're better suited to 20-50.

When we got our van it came with 15-40 as the P.O. had to make an emergency re-fill following a leaky OPS. As the engine warmed the oil it was getting too thin and the pressure light would come on at idle.

The problem went away when I replaced the oil with 20-50 and put a new Mann filter on.

that buys you a little time yes but the fact is if 2050 makes your oil light go out at idle it's just because it pushes it slightly over the 0.25 bar switch limit, it's still too low.
the later engines have a 0.9 bar at 2000 rpm buzzer which is a better early warning of low oil presure.

the usual reason for low oil pressure is high mileage.

I run 2050 becuase with 1540 when v hot after an hour or two of motorway motoring the buzzer can sound at 2000rpm, it's a sign the engine is at the end of life, as you can see the 2050 just pushes it past 0.9bar at 2000rpm but I know I'm on borrowed time.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... ure_survey" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

that oil is HOT!
further proof that lower oil temps can also increase engine life.
where is the sender located itchy?

[itchyfeet]

Sender in oil pressure relief plug as shown here, afaik thats sump oil

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 5#p8064952" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thats after a 2 hour trip this monday with mainly speeds of 50-65mph, I'd guess thats typical of a long run and would be hotter in summer.

[kevtherev]

Sender in oil pressure relief plug as shown here, afaik thats sump oil

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 5#p8064952" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thats after a 2 hour trip this monday with mainly speeds of 50-65mph, I'd guess thats typical of a long run and would be hotter in summer.

true.
I am saving up to fit a thermostatic oil cooler, like the one Tencent life makes.
He sees his oil temps down to 88, in his hot state.
He also fitted an 80 deg coolant thermostat, which helped a little in reduction apparently.

[itchyfeet]

Looking at this oil pressure survey today and comparing to mine and It looks like mine is lower than typical and thats with a new oil pump and 2050
hot is not defined other than after 1 hour of running but with the temp guage it's clear the 1 hour of 40mph is not the same of 1 hour at 60 mph.
I think I can hear some big end noise cold so I'm not kidding myself.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... ure_survey" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

Looking at this oil pressure survey today and comparing to mine and It looks like mine is lower than typical and thats with a new oil pump and 2050
hot is not defined other than after 1 hour of running but with the temp guage it's clear the 1 hour of 40mph is not the same of 1 hour at 60 mph.
I think I can hear some big end noise cold so I'm not kidding myself.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... ure_survey" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting, I never saw that before.. thanks

I use 20/50
my wet gauge shows 35-40 psi after a long high speed run at 3000 rpm @ 950 rpm it's 15psi currently

on 15/40 I had this down to 20 psi at 3000rpm
Interestingly during this run on a hot evening, I turned the heater flow on and briefly, the temp gauge went down and the pressure recovered to 35 psi
further proof that our cooling system controls oil temps to a good degree

[chriscburgess]

A bit of an update on this one.

After 10 or so miles the oil pressure light comes on on idle.

Finally got myself an oil pressure tester.

Got engine nice and warm about 14 miles running.

Plugged in tester and these are the results I get. Please bear in mind that I do not have a rev counter so these tests are done by ear so in terms of accuracy other than idle they are guesses as far as the revs are concerned.

At hot idle I get about 0.25bar
Around 1500 rpm I get 1.5 bar
around 2000 rpm I get 1.8 bar

They seem a bit low to me?

So bearing in mind I have 130 mile drive to Glastonbury in 4 weeks my many questions are:
a) can I still drive it at these readings?
b) is it sensible to temporarily increase the idle to increase pressure?
c) I know oil additives are frowned upon by this forum but would that be a temporary fix to get me to glastas?

d) I would assume the next step it to replace the oil pressure relief valve and oil pump. How easy is it to replace the pump? Can it be done with the engine in situ?

Many thanks in advance for support in this issue.

[ghost123uk]

So bearing in mind I have 130 mile drive to Glastonbury in 4 weeks my many questions are:
a) can I still drive it at these readings?

You might as well, (but see note below). Do you have breakdown insurance?

b) is it sensible to temporarily increase the idle to increase pressure?

No, no point, any catasrophy will happen under load, not at tickover.

c) I know oil additives are frowned upon by this forum but would that be a temporary fix to get me to glastas?

Likely be a waste of money.

d) I would assume the next step it to replace the oil pressure relief valve and oil pump. How easy is it to replace the pump? Can it be done with the engine in situ?

You could change these, and you can do it in situ, though the rear silencer and tinware will need to come off to do the pump.

Note :- However, the best short(ish) term solution has been mentioned above = change to a 20-50 oil. That will give you more pressure across the board and could conceivably give you thousands more usable miles.

p.s. - If you do change the pump, it would be interesting to see what if any improvement you get.

Many thanks in advance for support in this issue.[/quote]

[ghost123uk]

p.p.s. = Many engines will run for thousands of miles with a flickering oil light at tick over. It does mean the engine is worn, but it does not mean that a blow up is likely any day soon. 20-50 is the way, for now

[chriscburgess]

p.p.s. = Many engines will run for thousands of miles with a flickering oil light at tick over. It does mean the engine is worn, but it does not mean that a blow up is likely any day soon. 20-50 is the way, for now

Thanks forgot to mention I have already changed to 20-50 prior to these readings.

[ghost123uk]

p.p.s. = Many engines will run for thousands of miles with a flickering oil light at tick over. It does mean the engine is worn, but it does not mean that a blow up is likely any day soon. 20-50 is the way, for now

Thanks forgot to mention I have already changed to 20-50 prior to these readings.

Oh,

Did you notice any difference after switching to 20-50? - - - - - - - - (if not, it could be an issue with the oil pressure release valve, though that is clutching at straws)

[silverbullet]

So you are changing the oil every 1500 miles and the filter every 3000 Save your money and do both every 6000.
And use the van a bit more

[kevtherev]

So you are changing the oil every 1500 miles and the filter every 3000 Save your money and do both every 6000.
And use the van a bit more

Spot on