Club 80-90 Forums

Hi Folks,


I've just had my engine rebuilt. The mechanic has fired it up but concerned about the oil pressure.
Is the correct operation for the dash light to flash when the ignition is on then go off upon firing (when the pressure comes up)?

What he is seeing is that the dash light gives a quick single flash when the ignition is turned on then a constant slow flash after firing. Is this an intended warning signal or is it malfunction? Any advice would be appreciated.

Its a 1.9 Watercooled (DJ I think).

Stuart.

My light is solid on with ignition, then as soon as fired up the light goes out and stays out. (if you turn off engine then put ignition immediately back on, the light will sometimes stay off because there's still some pressure)

Did the engine rebuild include replacement of the oil pressure switch(es)? If so, there's a few different types so might be a good idea to check the rating/colour. I've personally never known them flash before?

But....what is the oil pressure actually doing. Its all well and good to talk about the correct function of the warning lights but what you really need to know is have you got good oil pressure and is it within specification.

Martin

Late vans flash, early don't.
Switch key on, oil light comes on, start engine it goes off.
Early or late.
As has been said, check actual pressure.

Mocki wrote:Late vans flash, early don't

Didn't know that, non of the 3 late vans I have owned (86,88 and 89,) had flashing oil lights. Just sayin (a useful phrase now in use on here )

As said ^^^ get the pressure checked with a gauge ! (surely the mechanic will have thought of doing that )

As said anyone rebuilding an engine should be checking the pressure with a guage ask for real psi or bar figures at idle and 3000 rpm both hot and cold

Thanks for replies. I didn't know you could get a guage to check the Bar/PSI, thought you had to rely on the dash light. Where is the guage inserted then, does it plug into the same hole as the sensor i.e. take the sensor out, plug the guage in?
Cheers.

Correct, but I would be worried that your mechanic has not thought of this, it is the very first thing to do under the circumstances.

Yes indeed....I know this isn't necessarily something a home mechanic would own but in garages they are used for this type of accurate measurement....when the lights or dash gauges are not good enough.

The critical measurement is taken when hot (engine has been worked as in, under load, for a good 20 minutes) especially when idling, as often the pressure drops so low that the oil pressure light will come on (a sign of a worn engine) or a poorly built one?

Martin

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I had a similar problem after rebuilding my mates 1.9DF engine. No amount of cranking would raise any oil pressure.

The problem was that the oil pump should have one thick, and one very thin gasket. The full Victor Reinz engine gasket set (supplied by Brickwerks) had two thick gaskets. The thicker gasket under the cover plate meant the oil pump wouldn't prime at all due to the excess end clearance of the rotor. I made a very thin gasket, which cured the problem instantly.

BW have been made aware of the problem.........any comment from BW?

Also read oil pressure relief valve spring can do this, replace it