Where’s my oil pressure?

As eluded to in my other post I’ve got oil pressure issues. 200tdi Defender 90.

Was driving back from Suffolk - oil pressure at 2000-2500 revs 6-10 psi. Oil warning light flickering at idle and when put foot on the clutch and the revs drop. Pulled over and got an AA ‘taxi’ from scotch corner to Aberdeen.

Now got to get to the bottom.

1. There’s oil in it and no obvious leaks.
2. The pressure has been slightly low for a while so I’m assuming the pump is the first port of call?
3. What are the other main causes of low oil pressure?

payydg said:

As eluded to in my other post I’ve got oil pressure issues. 200tdi Defender 90.

Was driving back from Suffolk - oil pressure at 2000-2500 revs 6-10 psi. Oil warning light flickering at idle and when put foot on the clutch and the revs drop. Pulled over and got an AA ‘taxi’ from scotch corner to Aberdeen.

Now got to get to the bottom.

1. There’s oil in it and no obvious leaks.
2. The pressure has been slightly low for a while so I’m assuming the pump is the first port of call?
3. What are the other main causes of low oil pressure?

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too thin oil,loose pump mounting,crank bearings,cam bearings ,missing/broken oil squirts

jamesmartin said:

too thin oil,loose pump mounting,crank bearings,cam bearings ,missing/broken oil squirts

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Didn’t help that it was so hot the oil was basically thin air. It’s got new 10w40 in it. I’ll drop the sump and check the pump.

Crank bearings and cam bearings I’m assuming is an engine out job?

What/where are the oil squirts?

payydg said:

Didn’t help that it was so hot the oil was basically thin air. It’s got new 10w40 in it. I’ll drop the sump and check the pump.

Crank bearings and cam bearings I’m assuming is an engine out job?

What/where are the oil squirts?

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Think 15w40 may be more appropriate but that won't be your issue.
Cam bearings could be checked with head off and radiator out (to pull the cam out), not really sure about replacing bearings with engine installed if they have spun.
Crank bearing would really need to be an engine out job.
Oil squirts are attached to block (inside) and fire oil up to the base of the pistons. If they have fell out you should find them in the sump.

they are jets fitted on under side of bore fed from a main oil gallery,conrod bearings can be insitu cam and mains better out

I actually need to put a new head on as the current one is cracked. Will drop the sump in the first instance.

If it’s was bottom end bearing would it not also manifest as leaking oil?

payydg said:

I actually need to put a new head on as the current one is cracked. Will drop the sump in the first instance.

If it’s was bottom end bearing would it not also manifest as leaking oil?

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Out of the crank oil seals you mean?
No, if the mains were that worn the engine would be noisy.

payydg said:

I actually need to put a new head on as the current one is cracked. Will drop the sump in the first instance.

If it’s was bottom end bearing would it not also manifest as leaking oil?

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it would leak into the sump,

Ok cool, will do some investigating and report back.

Get a mate to push the clutch pedal down a few times whilst you watch the front crank pulley, if its shuffles back and forth to much thats one port of call and if the thrusts are worn the mains and big ends will also be worn.
But penny to a pound you will be looking at cam bearings, can be partially seen with side plates removed

If the cracks in the head are between the vale seats, thats no cause for concern, one of mine has been like that for years with zero issues.

lynall said:

Get a mate to push the clutch pedal down a few times whilst you watch the front crank pulley, if its shuffles back and forth to much thats one port of call and if the thrusts are worn the mains and big ends will also be worn.
But penny to a pound you will be looking at cam bearings, can be partially seen with side plates removed

If the cracks in the head are between the vale seats, thats no cause for concern, one of mine has been like that for years with zero issues.

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Will do and will report back. When you say moves back and forth how do you mean? Forward and back or side to side or round and round. It’s using coolant so will probably change it. How much of a job is cam bearings?

Forward and back.
I've changed cam bearings but withthe engine out,simple job, I read, or was told, can't remember, that they need reaming to suit the cam.
I found mine were ok, no reaming necessary.

payydg said:

Will do and will report back. When you say moves back and forth how do you mean? Forward and back or side to side or round and round. It’s using coolant so will probably change it. How much of a job is cam bearings?

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As Flossie says fore and back, as for how much if its visible its not good, if you check the manual the play wont be much at all.

Quick google suggests the std end float is 8 thou or .20mm same as the valve clearances.

When was the filter last changed? It could be blocked and oil bypassing which drops the pressure.

Just a thought before it’s in a million bits in yer workshop

pete1987RRC said:

When was the filter last changed? It could be blocked and oil bypassing which drops the pressure.

Just a thought before it’s in a million bits in yer workshop

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Did a full service 2 week a ago, new oil filters etc. Good shout tho, would be nice if it was something simple - need to have a good look