19 replies to this topic

[Helter_skelter]

My oil pressure like is coming on when the car is a idle at a standstill (flickers mainly sometimes comes full on) not that long ago have a full service etc runs and drives fine, and can't hear any obvious knocking sounds etc (quite hard with the exhaust though)
Was thinking replace the switch and clean or replace the electrical connector first? Or should it just be straight oil pressure check?
Thanks

[KernowCooper]

I assume the oils good quality? does it idle over ok? not slow. I would get a gauge on it a see if its the switch playing up or actually low pressure. What mileage has the engine covered?

[sledgehammer]

I would find a known good oil pressure gauge , check the pressure & check idle speed 

 

if it is low , check what oil is in it , & what condition it is in , if in doubt - 

 

oil & filter change with correct oil (garages often use the same oil for all cars , which may be wrong for the mini)

 

if pressure is still low , check oil pressure relief valve hasn't stuck open slightly , give it a polish up  , check spring isn't damaged

[brivinci]

Well, not to throw up warning lights here (pun intended) but Rover installed basically useless oil pressure switches. I believe it comes on at 5lbs. Sooooo low and when the light comes on, your sunk already. If at idle you are only getting 5-7lbs of oil pressure, its a good sign that something is wrong. Wish I could give you better news there. You can try to switch the switch (I recommend the higher rated one) and see what happens. The absolute best thing is to fit a proper oil pressure gauge to really see what is going on. I really would not drive the car before you figure this out. The damage caused by low oil pressure can go from bad to catastrophic...trust me, I know.

 

One quick and easy thing to check is the oil pressure relief valve. There is an aluminum plunger and spring. The plunger is known to get stuck open, causing low oil pressure issues. Most change this item out with the ball and spring setup but I think the tables are turning on that one. The balls tend to vibrate and oblong the mating surface. A plunger with 3, equidistant 10mm holes drilled in the side (to let and debris pass through ) is the best way to go.

 

Anyway, you really need to take this serious. I'd slap an oil pressure gauge on the car and see what its actually getting at idle and at speed.

[brivinci]

Yeah, Minis should be running 20/50 oil in them. I'd imagine that if the garage put in 10w30 it may be causing the low reading. Still, get a gauge.

[Helter_skelter]

Service was done by my trusted mechanic. The oil I use was recommended by people on here pretty sure it's 20w/50 the bottle is in the shed somewhere I think. Yeah was thinking about getting one of the higher warning switches as I know about the issu of them being useless. 36k on the clock.
I don't drive the car mith as other a project/weekend however I have to drive It this weekend as my other car is away. I'll get a gauge on it asap then see what it says. After that I'll check and replace that valve but you wreckon it's a good chance of something serious? For this weekend only I'll have to not let it idle much. I'll maybe try get a gauge tomorrow from halfords then

[brivinci]

The gauge will tell all I hope. If it's really low at idle, chances are it's low on the move as well. Only o e way to find though.

[Fossy313]

Tim gauge, get one fitted and put your mind at ease :), check to see if your loosing oil/ how much oil you have.... I have actually had a friend who had a service before a d driven away and the mechanic has forgotten to refill with oil!!

It can happen, I wouldn't be driving anywhere much until it's sorted as had been said the oil pressure switch is **** which means when it's on something is not good

[Fossy313]

Brivinci funnily enough this months mini mag is about the pressure relief valve saying exactly what you have just said.

[Helter_skelter]

Yeah that's it all parked up now till I investigate! Plenty oil in it, was at the same level I last checked.
Will one of these be fine? http://pages.ebay.co...9664455&alt=web

[brivinci]

Brivinci funnily enough this months mini mag is about the pressure relief valve saying exactly what you have just said.

I know. Calver and I have been talking about them for some time now. I actually created a printable template to help you do the mod on the relief valve.

[Helter_skelter]

Oh that could be helpful.
Any thoughts on that gauge I linked don't want to end up with the wrong one

[brivinci]

If I were you, I would buy a gauge that goes into the car. If your spending the money, might as well always be able to see it. Very good thing. If you dont want to install it inside the car straight away, just hook it up and route the tubing through your open window for when you go on a test run.

 

My Mini is a 94 Monte Carlo. One of the "limited" features is the wood dash with added fog lamp switch. I didnt want to cut up the dash so I mounted my oil pressure gauge under the lower dash rail, to the right of the steering column. Is it in my line of sight, no BUT its positioned so I can read it with the quickest look down. Its a great bit of information to have. You can really see what makes the pressure change (heat, speed, oil)

[Helter_skelter]

Fair point how much would one of them set me back?

[Fossy313]

Helter for oil pressure stay weary of cheap gauges get a tim gauge

 

http://www.minispare...rch/classic/tim oil pressure.aspx|Back to search

 

dead easy to fit, just take the oil pressure light switch off, and either put this on or use the adapter to screw this and your gauge into (oil pressure switch on mpi is to the right of the oil filter but not sure about other block models)

 

then feed the metal fuel pipe through to your dash and into the back of the gauge(wherever you mount it....I like brivinci's idea!).

 

if you need real help setting one up pm me and I will take some pictures and show you but it literally is a case of getting gauge, putting brass pipe from back of gauge from dash through to bulkhead down to oil pressure and either screw that in replace of the oil pressure or use the adapter that the gauge comes with and screw them both into that and then into the block

 

PTFE tape is good for putting on the threads to stop leaks :).

 

you ebay one you have there

 

with gauges...buy once...I tried cheap got worried with readings and found out the hard way.

 

hope this helps

 

craig

 

p.s your ebay link is for an actual oil pressure, they can be very inaccurate and the next step up from what I looked at was £80...so I opted for the tim gauge which most people use.