1989 Oil Pressure Reading

Hi All

I have noticed, that when my car is started from cold and at idle, I have around 50-60psi of oil pressure according to a gauge that I have retro fitted. Once the car has reached running temperature and is at idle, the pressure reads about 20psi, at 50mph or 3-3500rpm the pressure is at

50-75psi. I have consulted the Vizard Bible and this directs me to the Oil Pressure Relief Valve sticking open but does not educate me to what damage could be caused or say that you should not run the car. This is a problem that has arrisen since fitting the gauge and simply by now being there, I can read what the pressure is at. I have no idea if this was a problem before as i had no gauge fitted.

I ask you what your views on this are on this please and if there is an applicable repair that you would suggest or a clean up?

Thanks in advance,

Dick Jones. Vehicle - Rover Mini Thirty, 1989, 998cc, Manual G/B, HS4 Carb with AAA needle and Maniflow Freeflow Exhaust System

Reply to
DJ
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I have since found my Haynes manual which tells me that the oil pressure should be at 15psi when the engine is idling and 65 when running.

Am I understanding this correctly or can some else elaborate.

Cheers

Reply to
DJ

Sounds absolutely perfect readings to me. dont change a thing. My 93 non cooper was pretty much the same, but only getting to around 65psi, never any higher.

RS

Reply to
RS

The official Austin Rover Service repair manual says:-

60lbf/in² running and 15lbf/in² at idle

Oil pressure warning light 6 to 10lbf/in²

Releif pressure valve opens 60lbf/in²

Cheers

Reply to
TurboJo

Hi DJ, I make a point not to fit oil pressure gauges to my cars, they frighten the life out of you when the pressure is up and down all the time, I rely on the oil light to inform me, any way ,, high oil pressure with cold engine due to the viscosity of the oil,, as the oil warms up so the pressure drops, if the engine is worn, the oil pressure can drop to almost zero, but recover if revved up, HTH, Fitzy

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Reply to
Fitzy

Hi, One problem with your reasoning, Fitzy. The oil light only tells you when things have gone wrong, the guage tells you in advance that things might go wrong.

keith

Reply to
xx

I totally agree Keith, the gauge gives you a advanced warning, but I still prefer the light to the gauge, (are you the real xx, Keith LOL) ;-) Fitzy

Reply to
Fitzy

You used to be able to get a higher switching low oil pressure switch. This would come on at say 20lbf/in² instead of 6-10lbf/in² which could be too late. Most racing/rally cars used them normally wired up to a big orange warning light on the dash.

Reply to
TurboJo

yes the real xx, just for anonimity on certain NGs

nuff sed!

keith

Reply to
xx

Anyone remember the Hillman Avenger, there's a window cleaner near me who still used one, roof rack and ladders, I remember they had the ignition wired through a oil pressure light type unit, so if the oil pressure failed then the ignition was dead also, clever idea,, Fitzy

Reply to
Fitzy

What I did once was to wire the starting circuit through the brake pressure switch for the brake lights that the old mini's used to have. That way you had to put your foot on the brake to start the car, just another little trick to stop the scrotes taking your cherished.

Chris

Reply to
Chris

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