30 replies to this topic

[BVY]

 I changed the oil pressure switch the other day because it was leaking oil. After a few days the light started coming on in traffic. I changed the oil because I hadn't done it since I bought the car a month before. So I had no idea how old it was or even if it was the right grade. 

I filled up with 20/50 and added (Holts I think) oil additive. WOW what a difference! The engine runs so much quieter now, and the oil light stopped coming on. So i thought that was the end of it.

Obviously not  

I'm back to flickery flickery every time i sit in traffic. Recently the engine has started running slightly hotter than usual too. Nothing major, but up until now the temp gauge has always been just below or bang on in the middle. Now it's just above the middle. Not sure if it's related to the light flickering...

 

Just wondering what else I can check / replace?

 

Thanks

[KernowCooper]

I would get a oil pressure gauge and see what pressure you actually have the standard oil pressure switch bring the light on between about 5-7psi and the higher pressure competition one is 22psi, how many miles has the engine done?

[BVY]

I've been thinking about getting a pressure gauge for a while. Are they easy to install? 

 

As far as I know it's done about 80k

[silve1999]

sorry to sound silly but what colour is the light? If it is the red one its the ignition and will flicker if there is a bad earth

[Cooperman]

As 'DG' says, put the tickover up a bit. 

Fit an oil pressure gauge which is easy to fit. You need a gauge kit plus an adaptor to enable the pressure switch to be retained as well.

[JustSteve]

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

[KernowCooper]

I would fit a oil pressure gauge what ever you do and yes they are easy to fit have a look on minispares site they list a kit with the T piece and pipe or you can use the braded pipe which is more robust, and get a smiths oil pressure gauge and mounting bracket.

[BVY]

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

Haha I'm already on the verge of that as it is... 

 

Ok so looks like I'm off to Mini Spares tomorrow for an oil gauge then.

 

Thanks guys

[JustSteve]

 

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

Haha I'm already on the verge of that as it is... 

 

Ok so looks like I'm off to Mini Spares tomorrow for an oil gauge then.

 

Thanks guys

 

 

haha, hopefully it might not be as bad as it sounds, but if it is genuinely that low, it'll soon get worse. 

My oil pressure light now remains on until 2000revs  you can physically feel a good couple of mm of play in the crankshaft by hand 

[Captain Mainwaring]

 

 

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

Haha I'm already on the verge of that as it is... 

 

Ok so looks like I'm off to Mini Spares tomorrow for an oil gauge then.

 

Thanks guys

 

 

haha, hopefully it might not be as bad as it sounds, but if it is genuinely that low, it'll soon get worse. 

My oil pressure light now remains on until 2000revs  you can physically feel a good couple of mm of play in the crankshaft by hand 

 

 

Your problem is easily solved. Razor blades.

[Captain Mainwaring]

I would fit a oil pressure gauge what ever you do and yes they are easy to fit have a look on minispares site they list a kit with the T piece and pipe or you can use the braded pipe which is more robust, and get a smiths oil pressure gauge and mounting bracket.

 

 

I've got the same issue and done as suggested here, but I seem to have a bit of a problem - I put the idle up to 3500 rpm and the light went off but ended up just rear ended the Surabaya to Bali bus.

Do you think if I return the idle speed to normal, that the headlights will go back to their normal position?

[Captain Mainwaring]

 I changed the oil pressure switch the other day because it was leaking oil. After a few days the light started coming on in traffic. I changed the oil because I hadn't done it since I bought the car a month before. So I had no idea how old it was or even if it was the right grade. 

I filled up with 20/50 and added (Holts I think) oil additive. WOW what a difference! The engine runs so much quieter now, and the oil light stopped coming on. So i thought that was the end of it.

Obviously not

I'm back to flickery flickery every time i sit in traffic. Recently the engine has started running slightly hotter than usual too. Nothing major, but up until now the temp gauge has always been just below or bang on in the middle. Now it's just above the middle. Not sure if it's related to the light flickering...

 

Just wondering what else I can check / replace?

 

Thanks

 

 

Don't waste your time with wallpaper paste masquerading as "oil additive" - it won't do any good and will probably end up gunging up the oil filter.

 

Do yourself a favour, change the oil and filter and start again - 

Low oil pressure is not ideal, but your not curing anything by adding glue to the sump. I've harped on about my old triumph before - but about 350 years agao I thought that using a thicker oil would help oil pressure at idle, it doesn't , it makes it worse. I run oil on spec now and despite the engine being a bit worn, oil pressure is fine.

Edited by Captain Mainwaring, 26 June 2013 - 04:44 AM.

[Barman]

 

 

 

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

Haha I'm already on the verge of that as it is... 

 

Ok so looks like I'm off to Mini Spares tomorrow for an oil gauge then.

 

Thanks guys

 

 

haha, hopefully it might not be as bad as it sounds, but if it is genuinely that low, it'll soon get worse. 

My oil pressure light now remains on until 2000revs  you can physically feel a good couple of mm of play in the crankshaft by hand 

 

 

Your problem is easily solved. Razor blades.

 

 

 

Suicide is a bit drastic...

 

Reference the OP - I didn't think any oil additive should be used on a Mini because the oil also lubricates the gear box...?

[tiger99]

Correct, the additive could affect the gearbox, and never ever use one with a PTFE (Teflon) additive, as it partly decomposes, possibly to to hydrofluoric acid, and makes the metalling peel off the bearing shells. In my case the acid completely ruined the engine, and left the inside of the gearbox bright and clean as if it was brand new. I don't know if they still sell that stuff.

 

If you look around the Miller's web site, you will find an oil which is optimised for the Mini. They are one of the most reputable but fairly small lubricant suppliers. I would not bother in a very old engine which will soon need a rebuild, but once it is in excellent order again, a very good oil will help to keep it that way for a very long time.

 

http://www.millersoi..._motorcycle.pdf

[Captain Mainwaring]

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the low oil pressure club 

 

 

.. don't worry, you'll soon be joining the engine building club too 

Haha I'm already on the verge of that as it is... 

 

Ok so looks like I'm off to Mini Spares tomorrow for an oil gauge then.

 

Thanks guys

 

 

haha, hopefully it might not be as bad as it sounds, but if it is genuinely that low, it'll soon get worse. 

My oil pressure light now remains on until 2000revs  you can physically feel a good couple of mm of play in the crankshaft by hand 

 

 

Your problem is easily solved. Razor blades.

 

 

 

Suicide is a bit drastic...

 

Reference the OP - I didn't think any oil additive should be used on a Mini because the oil also lubricates the gear box...?

 

 

Nooo...fly killer is much quicker. Use the razor blades to pack up the main bearing shells.....