Oil pressure

[DaveHerns]

Instead of removing the alternator get an 18mm (I think) open end spanner and cut it down to about 4"

[happy days]

New unit arrived today, how quick was that, thanks Ian (Rover Classics). Not the easiest thing to get at......
Had to remove aternator, etc for better access, then as Dave suggested cut an 18mm spanner in half, (only way to get to it).............
So still a bit of a struggle to get the old one out, but got it eventually........
New one ready to go in, looks alot different but in it must go...........
Got a long 32mm socket and was so much easier to fit,( and remove if ever)......
New one now fitted so just have to refit alternator etc and test......
All working, I have the gauge reading approx 27 at tickover (800), its 30 at 2500 rpm and approx 45 at 3000 rpm, not sure how them numbers stack up against other V8's but dont think they are much different to the original, not sure if the gauge means much anyway. cheers for the advice,...... Mick

[quattro]

I have the gauge reading approx 27 at tickover (8000),

Tickover is a bit high Mick, my engine won't even rev to 8,000rpm!

Seriously though, if that is on a hot engine, that is not bad at all.

Richard

[happy days]

Not much gets passed you Mr Q, I even read it through before posting. Amended now.

[harveyp6]

I'd noticed that, but for once resisted temptation! Good to see there are others on here of a similar nature though.

[happy days]

Noticed what !!!!!! As far as I can see it reads 800, Mr Q and Mr H are you both showing your age

[stina]

Just had a read through Mick , i can only see 800rpm , what are they going on about
Well done , good luck .

[SydneyRoverP6B]

Hi Mick,

Good luck with the new aftermarket sender. Keep and eye on it as it will likely start leaking oil fairly soon at the interface between the nylon top cap and the base. This may or may not coincide with the gauge readings acting most oddly too.

The original Smiths senders were by and large very accurate and would provide stable readings without leaking for 20 years or more. As Stan mentioned, these (those made in the 1970s) are now next to impossible to source.

Ron.

[happy days]

Stina, haven't a clue what they are on about, could it be their age
Ron, let's hope it doesn't leak, but if it does at least it will be easier to change than the original.

[unstable load]

Stina, haven't a clue what they are on about, could it be their age
Ron, let's hope it doesn't leak, but if it does at least it will be easier to change than the original.

Mmm, and if it does leak, you will as if by a miracle, find a NOS original one and have to go through the whole rigmarole of fitting it.

[ghce]

Has any one pulled one apart and done a repair on one of the OEM ones yet? cant be that difficult to affect a repair. I may have to do that myself some time this decade as mine is a little hesitant to read after a few weeks layup.

Graeme

[adamjack]

I am glad I used the search button ,my oil pressure gauge is erratic too ,which was a bit worrying whilst cruising at speed on the A1M !!! fortunately I noticed that the oil light wasn't on and the engine was purring away nicely so it looks like I will have to get a new sender unit

[chrisyork]

Hi Adamjack

Make sure you do the test to earth first. The other possibility is that the gauge is loose on the printed circuit back board of the instrument panel. It's only a push fot and they do work loose over the years. The fix is simply to remove the front "glass" and push it home.

Chris

[MJP6B]

The lengths that some classic car owners will go to correct a
perceived problem before they ask somebody that might be able to help them out and know the cause.

As you have so accurately explained a cure for the oil pressure gauge malfunctioning
Chris which you know from experience, this next bit may amuse.

A friend of a friend, who apparently is not a fan of Clubs or web forums, but owns a (rather tatty) Rover P6 3500 auto (BW35). He had a fluctuating oil pressure gauge as he prepared to lay up the car before last winter, he thought is was actual engine oil pressure that was playing up, so over the winter he extracted the oil pressure relief valve from the oil pump housing, inspected both piston and spring, could find no problems so he stretched the spring and reassembled everything. Pressure restored and consistent ?...... No.

The problem was cured exactly as you have described Chris, a loose gauge. - took 15 minutes and no expence.

He now has to buy a new “un-stretched” oil pressure relief valve spring and install it. They are only about £5 but thats not the point, its nice to save an owner a lot of hassle for the sake of asking a question in the first place.

[GRTV8]

Great feedback on the oil pressure problems guys'n gals
Ive been watching my P6b fluctuating oil pressure gauge and/also oil warning light "on"for ages .
I wasnt too concerned as there was no strange noises from the business end and put it down to the Prince of Darkness and 30yrs of use.
But still had nagging doubts in case I was wrong
Still after reading all the information coming through about "oil pressure" I decided as a start , to clean up the joints at the pressure switches , and then move on to the next possible cause.
Hey magic , I now have consistent reading on the gauge and the oil light now goes off at 800rpm
Thanks to all you contributors on this topic , youve saved me anxious moments .
I love this Forum
Gerald