15 replies to this topic

[Robdavmtb]

Hi all.

Noticed yesterday that I had oil pressure of about 20psi when warn at idle do I decided to check out the oil pressure relief valve.

Took it apart and found that it had the ball bearing type. Spring does not look like it had been shortened as it is 73mm.

On the ball I found brass swarf. I put a rag on the end of a screwdriver to clean the inner face of the valve and found loads more. Where has this come from? Gearbox?

Thanks.

Learning everyday.

[Robdavmtb]

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[Dusky]

Main bearings, gearbox bushes, diff bushes

[Rob Gavin]

has the engine fresh or has it been in the car a while?  Trying to get my head round if it relates to debris after machining or indeed due to something failing.  I'd drop the oil too and see what the sump plug has on it

[Robdavmtb]

Engine has been recently put together. Changed the oil a few weeks ago and sump plug was very furry. Oil was very thin though. Now on 20/50.

[gazza82]

Engine has been recently put together. Changed the oil a few weeks ago and sump plug was very furry. Oil was very thin though. Now on 20/50.

 

Hope all the oil ways in the block were thoroughly cleaned out before assembly or you'll be doing it again very soon!

Edited by gazza82, 22 April 2016 - 05:17 PM.

[carbon]

Rob,

 

The 'fur' on sump plug is less of a concern than the brass/bronze debris.

 

As it's a recently built engine I think you're looking at engine out and full rebuild before any further damage.

[Robdavmtb]

Really! As bad as that. Car runs fine though. Oil pressure is good now it's clean. Wouldn't just be from the build?

[Dusky]

Certainly not. Only some bushes are honed on a rebuild, those wouldnt cause as much swarf if they were remotely cleaned

[Robdavmtb]

Whilst looking for what this brass could be. I've found it could be from the diff and I also have a knocking noise coming from the foot well so this could be the cause.

[Rob Gavin]

I think the only way you will know is to pull it all apart and check everything.

[Stiggytoo]

Is it A or A+? If it's a fresh build, perhaps the brass swarf is from drilling out the oil gallery plugs and not cleaning the oil ways properly following that? Have you assembled it all again to check the oil pressure?

[carbon]

Rubbish in the main oil galleries would be really bad news. From there the only way out is through the crank or cam bearnings.

 

At the very least chances are the oil pump is already compromised.

 

I guess the question to OP is 'do you feel lucky?'

[dklawson]

At the very least chances are the oil pump is already compromised.

 

 

I would not be concerned about the oil pump yet.  All the fuzzy/furry bits of steel that are not collected by the sump plug magnet can pass through the pump before getting caught by the oil filter.  Brass is a lot softer than steel and is not likely to have hurt the pump.

 

My thoughts are along the lines of those above who said if this is a recent rebuild the brass may be from failure to clean out oil gallerys after removing their plugs.  

[Robdavmtb]

Update.

The knocking noise was warn top engine steady and loose bottom steady.

Drove car all day yesterday and took pressure relief valve apart and only 2 tiny pieces where found so I'm thinking it's clearing itself.

Engine now has 50psi at 2k revs and 25psi on tick over when hot.

Took it to be tuned up yesterday too and engine makes a healthy 98bhp and is fab to drive.