Club 80-90 Forums

Sorry think I posted this request in wrong area. Advice please on the difference between the two types of oil pressure gauges-electronic and mechanical.The 1600 diesel engine in my VW T25 has just had a "new" cylinder head and gasket but the buzzer of doom now sounds more frequently. The sensors were changed before the gasket and it was also checked as having Ok oil pressure at the VW van service centre nearby. At present the garage that fitted the gasket and new cylinder head have the vehicle back as it also smokes when started in the mornings much more than it used to.Any advice please as I'm loosing confidence in going anywhere in this vehicle. Thanks Lindsey

Hello,

if you had your cylinder head changed then I'd guess it's smoking more because the timing is retarded more than it used to be. A very common error when redoing the timing belt is to get the IP one tooth out as you really have to pull on the belt to get it over the pulley - I know this because I've done it myself. I'd get the garage to check the timing and advance it if necessary. Also verify your glow plug operation but there's not real reason why this should have changed.

As for the buzzer of doom - if you've had the oil pressure checked mechanically this is good, and probably you have an electrical fault. It is controlled by the W pin on the alternator and the high revs oil pressure switch on the oil filter housing - nothng here should have changed. I have an electrical VDO style gauge on mine, but I treat it as a sanity check not an accurate oil pressure reading - it is susceptible to the same electrical gremlins as anything else. It's a long way from the back to the front and voltage drop is always an issue on these vans. For that reason if you want an accurate gauge you should go mechanical - Kevtherev has one, and I agree with him this is the more sensible option.

Good luck getting is sorted out

Ewen