oil pressure gauge readings

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Hi fitted a few gauges to my 300tdi defender over the last couple of days....... Have noticed that the oil pressure reading is a bit low?

Cold idle 25psi - on gauge
Warm idle 10 psi - on gauge (warning light off)

Thinking about using 20w50 instead of 10w40 when i do the oil change next week?

Daz

 

[666 george]

Hi fitted a few gauges to my 300tdi defender over the last couple of days....... Have noticed that the oil pressure reading is a bit low?

Cold idle 25psi - on gauge
Warm idle 10 psi - on gauge (warning light off)

Thinking about using 20w50 instead of 10w40 when i do the oil change next week?

Snap, mine's the same.
Bet you wished you'd never fitted one.
Mine had the warning light come on all the time, did a pressure test & got 30psi at 2000rpm. It should be 35-65.
I've done the main & crank shells, changed the oil sqiurts & put in 20/50 & it's now a massive 30 cold & 7-10 warm.
I spent about £70 changing everything & a few weekends.
One of the other essex boys checked their's & it's the same.
My advise is DON'T look at it.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

thanks for the info mate!
I will stick some 20w50 in it next week and see how it goes

Cheers
Daz

 

[666 george]

The only thing that I havn't done is the cam shaft shells. This is on a 200tdi by the way.
The one at the back of the engine can move & block the oil way which will give you low pressure. You'll have to take out the engine to sort that.
The only time I'm going to worry is when the light comes on.
But I've got a spare engine in the shed, I just need to rebuild it.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

I changed the oil pressure switch at the same time as installing the t piece and sender and the switch and light work as they should - so i'm not worried til it starts coming on all the time. Not sure how accurate the gauges are anyway.........

Thanks for the info mate
Cheers
Daz

 

[666 george]

One other thing I forgot. I changed the oil pump, spring & plunger. So I think I've covered everything.
Your right them gauges are not that good but it won't be too far out.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Well did the oil and filter change today and used the 20w50 oil
Readings on the gauge have changed
Cold 35psi Warm 25psi

Will keep an eye on the readings over the next few months

Daz

 

[666 george]

That's not bad. Every morning I look at mine as it idles before I turn it off & between 6 or 9 is not good, but I'll wait for it to blow cos I've done everything I can.

 

[jamesmartin]

The only thing that I havn't done is the cam shaft shells. This is on a 200tdi by the way.
The one at the back of the engine can move & block the oil way which will give you low pressure. You'll have to take out the engine to sort that.
The only time I'm going to worry is when the light comes on.
But I've got a spare engine in the shed, I just need to rebuild it.

any cam bearing can move but its front one that usually wears the most front one also carries oil feed to head

 

[666 george]

any cam bearing can move but its front one that usually wears the most front one also carries oil feed to head

Can it be changed without having the cam shaft out?

 

[jamesmartin]

no ,head off and cam out

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

James - any idea what the oil pressure readings should be?

According to Haynes manual : Normal oil pressure (engine at normal operating temp and operating speeds) 25 to 55 psi

Cheers
Daz

 

[jamesmartin]

id expect it to jump up to 50-60 psi as soon as started and drop a little as warms , idle at 20-30 i would look at crank bearings (mains wear the most on bottom one ,con rod wear most on top one) and oil squirts ,after that look at cam if it doesnt improve ,

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Cheers its done 180k so thats why i thought i'd use 20w50 and get the pressure up a bit.
Cheers
Daz

 

[jamesmartin]

id still want to look at bearings its an easier job before cranks damage ,you dont need to remove rear main you will have an idea from the rest

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

The engine sounds good with no knocking or rattling even under load and it does pull very well. If i had a garage i might pull the sump off but don't fancy doing it on my gravel drive.

Thanks for the info
Daz

 

[jamesmartin]

by the time you hear anything crank will be buggered ,no warnings ,something worth looking at soon ,

 

[666 george]

I've done them all, mains, crank & oil squirts but looks like I need the have the cam shaft out.

 

[DEFENDER90-DAZ]

Sounds like a big job that mate!!

Daz

 

[landrover11019]

Had low readings on my 2.5 petrol, put halfords classic 20/50 now reads;
50 psi cold idle.
30 psi warm idle.
50 psi when driving.