Oil light flashing up

[ewenmaclean]

Hi Rich,

I think you're right to send it back.. bit of pain but hopefully it's just a dodgy gauge or sender. Good luck getting it sorted.

In case it's of help I went to this place to buy my bits - they seem to have everything and it all worked for me:

http://www.rspec.co.uk/index.php?main_p ... cts_id=676" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think the TIM and VDO gauges are probably better quality though....

Ewen

[Rich Tea]

Thanks for the Tip Ewan, I'll take a look at their web-site. I think I might try a capillary gauge, I'm a bit concerned about running such a long length of pipe, but it might be worth a go.

For Harry, the Sender comes with gauge, there's loads of folk selling TIM gauges on ebay, my advice to anyone is to find the cheapest. The T-piece is a little more tricky to find one with right thread, you can find them on ebay if you look, but I went to Demon Tweeks Direct for mine its made by LMA. They supply them on their own or with a 500mm or 1000mm braided hose, so they can be mounted remotely.

Cheers

Rich

[Rich Tea]

It's been a while. But I've busy.

I sent the TIM Gauge and sender back and recieved a replacement. Unfortunately this read very similarly to the previous TIM gauge (negative oil pressure when hot). I then purchased a second hand VDO capillary gauge with a 270° dial. I plumbed this in place of the pressure switch on the t-piece so I could run both the TIM gauge and the VDO gauge at the same time.

Well now I feel like the man with two watches (never knows the right time) . The VDO gauge read very similarly to the test gauge 60psi, whereas the TIM gauge ran 20psi less (from cold) and when the VDO read 40psi the TIM read 25psi. Unfortunately I didn't have time to get the engine really hot to see what happened then.

gauges.jpg

I've no idea why the TIM gauges run so much lower than the VDO and the Test gauge, but I'm convinced that they're not correct. So I shall be sending the second TIM gauge back and asking for a refund.

I'd like to fit the VDO gauge, but need an extra long capillary tube, does anyone know who sells these. What's best to go for copper, nylon, a workmate suggested aeroquip style braided hose?

On a really positive note, I've regained confidence in the engine and hope to give the van a good run soon.

Cheers

Rich

[kevtherev]

I fitted the "wet" or capillary guage to my engine

demon tweeks sell the pipe and double t piece
mine sits where your wet gauge sits at cold tickover, it drops to 20 psi when hot. and sits at 44 psi @ + 3000 rpm hot.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Performan ... sories/812" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I just couldn't trust the analogue gauge

hope this helps

[ewenmaclean]

Hi Rich,

well done for all these diagnostic tests - good to have confidence in the engine! I suppose if you could be arsed, you could swap the positions of the the two gauges on your T-piece and check that no oil is leaking from either one.... I'm almost sure there's no point in this, but it would eliminate any other possible difference....

Glad all is well with the van though!

Ewen

[Rich Tea]

Cheers guys,

Why didn't I think to look in Demon Tweeks?

Rich

[ermie571]

Rich - thanks for the piccies....certainly helps!

Em
xx

[Mickyfin]

Just followed this thread from start to semi finish, and wondering how Rich got on? I too am experiencing oil light flashing after long runs when coming off motorway, and at traffic lights at tickover, but goes out when I rev.

I have learned a lot through the help of everyone who shared their experience in this thread, and have made notes, printed out wiki entries, and will be checking everything over. I think I will also buy new sensors for peace of mind when funds allow. Also like the idea of a oil pressure and temperature gauge, but again, these need to wait until funds allow as wife is nagging me lol.

[kevtherev]

After a high speed run oil gets hot, hot oil is thinner than cool oil, therefore oil pressure is lower at lower RPM.

your cooling system keeps the oil cool.
I did a little experiment on the motorway, I ran at 70 MPH (3500 rpm) for a several miles, checked the (wet) gauge it read 38 psi.
continuing at 70 mph I turned the heater on full heat, the pressure increased to 45 psi as the cool coolant bypassed the thermostat and circulated the engine

I am currently collecting the parts to fit an external oil cooler in the engine bay

[Mickyfin]

Cheers Kev, I am confident its nothing serious in my case, and just a matter of renewing sensors. Am I right in thinking the 1.9 Petrol only have the one sensor? The one to the left of the engine between the pushrods? If so, this will be the one I will replace/upgrade. Also looking to getting an oil pressure dual sensor and gauge just for peace of mind. When funds allow that is.

[kevtherev]

I believe the later engines have two sensors
one by the oil pump is 0.9 bar (buzzer)
and the lifter gallery is 0.3 bar (oil light)