11 replies to this topic

[incrediblerog]

hi this isn't really a problem.... yet! more of a mystery! in my 998cc '86 mayfair, occasionaly after a bit of moderate to hard driving when coming to a stop i get the oil pressure light flickering on and off. The oil level is always kept on max, and the car is running at normal water temp. The engine idles at around 850 - 900 rpm after warming up. I use 15/40w magnatech oil and the engine has a stage one kit on it. any ideas or theorys would be ace!

[Jammy]

I'd say if your oil pressure light is flickering on and off then your oil pressure is quite low!

Is the engine a high miler?

[fikus01]

i have been told that magnatec oil isnt the best for a mini engine because its fully synthetic!! a good quality semi synthetic is better!!

as for the light it looks like you're oil pressure is getting low at tickover!! this could sugest a worn oil pump, stuck oil pressure relief valve or a worn bottom end or all 3 being as the engine is probably stil the original 20 year old item!!

if you want to do something thats free then make sure the pressure relief valve isnt stuck in its bore!! otherwise its engine out to replace the pump/bottom end!! or my favourite!! jsut wait til it goes bang and put in a 1300, hehe

being honest if the oil pressure is above 40psi when you're driving normally and isnt dropping under load then the bottom end should be fine but you'll need a pressure gauge to check this!

(sorry i got bored of 998's a long time ago!)

[incrediblerog]

the cars covered 60,000 miles and appears to have both the original lump and box... i've been dealing with the problem so far by pulling the choke out a couple of notches although this isn't great for fuel economy, taking into account your theorys on what it could be, worn oil pump, stuck oil pressure relief valve or a worn bottom end. are these engine faults which will gradually become more apparent over time or the kind that will just one day cause massive internal engine failiure with little or no notice? the 998's just got to last a couple more thousand miles!

[Jammy]

If your using the choke to make the light go out it seems the oil pump maybe not be pumping enough at tickover, thus cured by the fast idle of pulling the choke out. It will get worse, not sure about it just dying one day and blowing up the engine, but if it is the oil pump, the longer you leave it the more engine bits you'll have to replace.

[fikus01]

ok it could be any of those things check pressure relief valve first!!

then check oil pressure!! i dont think a tim oil pressure gauge is too expensive!! as long as its 40 - 60psi with normal driving and it doesnt drop under load id say the bottom end was probably ok and that you will jsut need an oil pump!!

oil pumps do often get torn to pieces with swarf from the gearbox!! 60'000 miles isnt too much for a bottom end i wouldnt have thought but it depends how hard its being used!!

Edited by fikus01, 25 October 2006 - 12:46 PM.

[incrediblerog]

thanks a lot for the advice fellas, i think i'll steer clear of inspecting the bottom end, sounds like a lot of hassle for an engine that's getting replaced in a few months, not that i'd know what to look for anyhoo! I think i'll look at changing the oil pump and also change the grade and brand of oil at the same time... besides, you guys will be the first to hear if it does go bang!

[998dave]

I was thinking it could also be a half full filter, so maybe changing that wouldn't hurt, along with checking the pressure relief valve.

Mke sure you put a central pickup and a new pump in yur new engine!

Dave

[taffy1967]

And use an oil more suitable for Mini's too like Duckhams Q 20W/50 Classic, because your gearbox synchro's will thank you for starters!

[Sprocket]

Castrol GTX Magnatec is not in itself fully synthetic. It does state synthetic engineering on the can, but that relates to the friction modifiers within the oil.

Its semi synthetic, and thats fine in an A series.

[fikus01]

aah apologies!! the synthetic engineering was what made me think it was fully synthetic!! i swear i've seen a magnatec for basic engines!! but imho u cant quite rival the smell of castrol R even if was C**p for the engine i wudnt care!! good ol mineral oils

[Grayedout]

As said the quickest and easiest fix is change the oil for a quality 20W/50 !!