Oil Light

[AlleyNiki]

Another point on this. You should always make sure that your oil warning light is on before you start the engine. If the light does not come on then you have a problem with either the switch, wiring or bulb.
Allan

My oil light had not been coming on for some time. I recently found out that the problem was in the oil pressure sensor itself. The little diaphragm whatsit inside seems to be worn out -  earthing the wire onto the engine causes the light to come on, but no light comes on when in contact with the sensor. Taking the sensor out and tapping it a bit caused it to start working again but it's intermittent. The light goes out on starting the engine, but does not go back on again when the engine stops. I think the diaphragm is stuck...

I'd really like an oil pressure gauge as one of the instruments. Suggestions anybody?

[Kent126]

Well my oil light goes out as it should, when starting but then comes on for a bit after having driven for a while. Sometimes it goes out if I rev the engine, and sometimes it doesn't.

With a loud knocking coming from the fan, which is possibly broken, I could be overheating.

Would also appear now that I have a minor oil leak from underneath somewhere. Will investigate tomorrow.

Tom

[Allan]

Tom your problem may well be a crankshaft oil gallery plug which has moved and is allowing some of your oil pressure to leak out.

[Kent126]

Tom your problem may well be a crankshaft oil gallery plug which has moved and is allowing some of your oil pressure to leak out.

oh god, sounds griefy......

Tom

[KAL SPL]

Instead of starting a new thread figured I would continue this 1 , my oil light has started coming on recenetly at idle or very low revs on take off , once moving its fine doesnt come on , my idle is quite low thanks to tuning perfection but it never used to do it , oil level is fine.

Faulty switch or worse ?

[Pete126]

my idle is quite low thanks to tuning perfection but it never used to do it , oil level is fine.

Faulty switch or worse ?

WARNING Never run any engine under the manufacturers specific RPM on IDLE.

oil pump circulation systems are designed to produce around 20psi at 850rpm (HOT) If you adjust the idle lower than spec" the oil pressure reduces and you run the risk of wearing/stripping the bearings as the crank and big ends are not floating on a film of oil,

[Kent126]

Probably gonna be off the road for a few weeks, as I will be moving house very shortly (again). Finally bought my own house with garden (and plenty of tinkering space!!!!!  )

Once I have moved and got my car into its new mini garage, I will properly strip it down and get to the root of the problem, along with all the other little jobs that need doing.

 

[KAL SPL]

How does 1 determine the rpm without a tacho out of interest ?

[Darrell]

I bought a little rpm gauge that looks a bit like a timing light.

It 'fires black magic' at a sticker one places on the rotating item and gives a read-out of the RPM.

The sticker is that reflective tape, I'll dig it out and write the proper name down if no wise-ass doesn't reply with the full details.

[Pete126]

Unfortunately the only way to check the idle is with a tacho, or with garage equipment, I use a Gunson autoranger meter which does RPM, Dwell and few other Diagnostics, There are some professional timing lights that have a tacho built in but are quite expensive. I also switch the headlights on when setting the idle.

When or if the oil light comes on switch all the electrics on and adjust the carburettor idle adjustment screw until the light goes out and it shouldn't be too far off.

If you have a friendly Garage or Motorcycle shop they should be able to set the idle in a couple of minutes, Once set it will give you an idea with the engine note where it should be in case you have to adjust it in the future.

[Darrell]

Unfortunately Pete don't know about these 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIGITAL-RED-LASER-TACHOMETER-NO-CONTACT-RPM-TEST-COUNT-/310314923044?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item484035f424

[Pete126]

That looks good value

[KAL SPL]

Soo my problem persists !

Topped the oil up , light still on at idle.
Wound the idle up , went off for a bit till it got warm then light comes on at idle.
Dropped the oil and filled with new oil , swapped the oil sensor as it had been under pressure from the collapsed flap of the thermostat and was loose , light still no ....

It seems to be slowly getting worse , what exactly should I be looking for next ?

Light does go out as soon as the revs come on but IMO the idle would have to be way to high to stop light coming on now considering its only just started doing it after many years.

Bare in mind this is my spare motor and the refurbished 1 will be swapped out eventually but rather fix this issue if its external.

[barkingwilhelmina]

i used to get this problem when the engine was hot and at tick-over the the oil light would flicker. i changed the ignition for electronic and the problem went away, so assumed it was running too hot! check your plugs and timing

[KAL SPL]

Light is on from the moment car is started , goes out when first revved to take off.
Have had elcetronic ignition for a few years now.
Timing is perfect and plugs are new.

Im thinking the bearings are flooged out and oil pressure is suffering.
Guess I will find out when the engines removed and stripped down.