Low Oil Pressure, Real Low!

[Run-It-Hard]

So as some may know, I've been having some oil pressure issues lately. Last event it got worse though and now oil pressure is around 30psi on a cold start.

A few mates and I fitted a new oil pump yesterday, checked the pickup etc and all was well. But I've still got the same issue.

So are the clearances too big in my engine ? I don't know what else it could be.

I have a standard 25 with bigger turbo, standalone, oil cooler etc. Can an oil cooler and remote mount filter affect pressure?

I don't know where to look and I'm thinking it's time for a new engine.

Not going off a standard gauge btw, got an electirc aftermarket item that is pretty accurate (read 2psi at wakefield when lifters started tapping).

Anyone heard of shit like this before?

I'd really love to get the 33 to Wakefield Matsuri this weekend if I could.

Cheers guys!

Adam.

Edited November 20, 2011 by Run-It-Hard

[zebra]

Ahhhh sucks to hear the new pump didnt help. How did the old one look when you pulled it out?

[Run-It-Hard]

haven't pulled the cover off it yet, got a mate doing for me at work tomorrow so we don't round the bolts lol.

Yeah it sucks alright, I don't know what else it could be!

[zebra]

have you tried pulling the oil cooler/remote filter off and running a standard oil filter off the block?

[Run-It-Hard]

I haven't but if I did I'd have no way at seeing the pressure atm (need to get a sandwich plate or something).

[mad082]

have you tried some different weight oils to see if that alters the pressure?

[Run-It-Hard]

Was running 10-40 before hand, than switched over to 10-60. It made stuff all difference.

[Run-It-Hard]

Any more ideas guys?

[GTR_JOEY]

Is the engine freshly built?

Like u said clearances could be too large... Ie bearings

[Run-It-Hard]

nope, standard 25.

[Run-It-Hard]

Took the oil cooler off last night. Made no difference. I then noticed the oil in the cooler being a funky brown colour ... can a blown head gasket cause a pressure drop?

[GTR_JOEY]

Is there oil in ur coolant and/or milky oil when u drain it?

[Run-It-Hard]

doesn't look like there is oil in the coolant, but I've probably run the car for 5 minutes max. Oil is milky looking in the oil cooler, and lines. So I'd presume if I were to drain it, it would all be milky.

Edited November 22, 2011 by Run-It-Hard

[GTR_JOEY]

Well I'd say based on that u probably have blown a head gasket, I'd be draining the lot and inspecting it

Could well be ur oil pressure problem, so probably a new gasket as well as an engine and coolant flush...

Unless anyone has some other theories....

If u ran it long enough to open the thermostat I may well find oil in ur coolant

Edited November 22, 2011 by GTR_JOEY

[Run-It-Hard]

I think you're onto something mate!

Going to rip the head off tonight and see what happens.

[GTR_JOEY]

have fun

let us know what u find

[Run-It-Hard]

So, managed to get the head off tonight. Suspisions confirmed, headgasket is a goner. Interesting reason towards it though.

I don't know how, or why it would happen. But the head and block have been elongated in two parts (both on the passenger side). I'm guessing snapped head bolts or what not. So it makes me think why the head has been off in the first place. The piston tops look amazingly clean for a suspected 140k engine ... hmm.

Anyway, so the holes were elongated and a inner ring was placed in there to fill the new OD. But whoever has fitted this has also elongated the head gasket to suit. The photo below is probably where it failed, as it's right next to the water/oil jackets. So yeah as soon as we pulled the head gasket off and touched the enlongated part, the copper washer built into the gasket fell out.

So the plan of attack is to get another pair of inner rings in the same dimensions, cut two down to suit the block and leave the current two in the head. That way it'll still bolt together without needing to chop up the head gasket.

Thanks for all your help Joey, legend!

[GTR_JOEY]

Good shit, keep us updated on the fix and oil pressure problem