Odd oil pressure issue
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Odd oil pressure issue
Just wanted to see what others though about an odd problem I have been having.
I'm running a 2.1 engine in a bug for a few years now and it's been all good until recently.
The engine runs a slightly modified oil system in that I use a mocal take off plate which runs through a thermostat body and then up to an oil cooler.
I used to run it without the thermostat body but when I fitted a custom sidefacing exhaust the old oil pipe route had to change so I took the opportunity to add it.
The oil pipes run under the pulley wheel and into the thermostat attached the sump on the right. The pipes then run under the pushrod tubes, over the gearbox and down the oil cooler placed around the torsion tube.
The thing is I now suffer from low oil pressure from start and it takes a second or two to build up.
I presume there must be an air pocket forming somewhere in the pipe work or the oil is draining back down into the sump.
There are no oil leaks anywhere so I can't understand how an air pocket can form?
It takes more than 10 hours after starting to cause the problem again.
I have done very long trips in it with no problems but I am concerned of the damaged being caused everytime I start it so I deliberately crank the engine for 5 seconds prior to attempting to start her.
Any ideas guys?
I'm running a 2.1 engine in a bug for a few years now and it's been all good until recently.
The engine runs a slightly modified oil system in that I use a mocal take off plate which runs through a thermostat body and then up to an oil cooler.
I used to run it without the thermostat body but when I fitted a custom sidefacing exhaust the old oil pipe route had to change so I took the opportunity to add it.
The oil pipes run under the pulley wheel and into the thermostat attached the sump on the right. The pipes then run under the pushrod tubes, over the gearbox and down the oil cooler placed around the torsion tube.
The thing is I now suffer from low oil pressure from start and it takes a second or two to build up.
I presume there must be an air pocket forming somewhere in the pipe work or the oil is draining back down into the sump.
There are no oil leaks anywhere so I can't understand how an air pocket can form?
It takes more than 10 hours after starting to cause the problem again.
I have done very long trips in it with no problems but I am concerned of the damaged being caused everytime I start it so I deliberately crank the engine for 5 seconds prior to attempting to start her.
Any ideas guys?
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- Posts: 621
- Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:50 pm
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
It sounds to me like something going on with the oilstat, there must some sort of spring controlled diverting system in there, it may be sticking and ' making its mind up' . i would remove it as a tester, especially if it was o.k before fitting it.
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
I did suspect the thermostat but I can't see how it would cause this type of problem but at the next oil change I will remove it and recheck all the fittings for possible leaks.
I'm using one of these.
and one of these.
I'm using one of these.
and one of these.
- Stripped66
- Posts: 1904
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2001 12:01 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
What oil filter?
I briefly had a similar problem when I was running a System 1 filter, which does not have a backflow valve. I replaced it with a Canton oil filter that does and I immediately get oil pressure without fail when cranking.
On another note, how many people running the wasser/oxy case lose oil pressure when making a turn?
I briefly had a similar problem when I was running a System 1 filter, which does not have a backflow valve. I replaced it with a Canton oil filter that does and I immediately get oil pressure without fail when cranking.
On another note, how many people running the wasser/oxy case lose oil pressure when making a turn?
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
Hmmm filter, didn't think of that. Not sure of the brand but the standard oem filter from the local vw specialist.
Never suffered any oil pressure drop when cornering even high speed long corners.
Here are the changes I made since it was working ok:
Oil change.
Oil filter.
Add thermostat body.
Moved oil pipes from left of engine around to the right side of the engine.
All the extra oil plumbing does vary in height as it did before with points at sump level and high points.
Any over filters have a non return value worth using then?
Never suffered any oil pressure drop when cornering even high speed long corners.
Here are the changes I made since it was working ok:
Oil change.
Oil filter.
Add thermostat body.
Moved oil pipes from left of engine around to the right side of the engine.
All the extra oil plumbing does vary in height as it did before with points at sump level and high points.
Any over filters have a non return value worth using then?
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- Posts: 621
- Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:50 pm
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
Guys, the stock o/e filter has a valve and should give no problems. that's all i use on my race motors.
stripped, your problem must be oil surge uncovering the pickup tube, same as stock T1 a/c
engines suffer from, but of course the wasser has a bigger sump , so may be more susceptible to low oil level, oil filled to the top mark or a touch over should be the cure, if your talking a race engine with high g loads, i have to say dry sump it
stripped, your problem must be oil surge uncovering the pickup tube, same as stock T1 a/c
engines suffer from, but of course the wasser has a bigger sump , so may be more susceptible to low oil level, oil filled to the top mark or a touch over should be the cure, if your talking a race engine with high g loads, i have to say dry sump it
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
Guess I will do the normal oil change and see how it goes.
Might just be a crappy filter as has been suggested.
Might just be a crappy filter as has been suggested.
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
I changed out the filter this weekend and also noticed the mocal adapter stud was a little loose, so I also tightened that up.
Sadly this has not solved my problem, so i'm thinking there is a bad seal on the oil pickup somewhere allowing the oil to drain from the oil pump as the removed filter was full of oil. There are no other
As I said before if I crank the engine over with the ignition off for 3-4 seconds and then start it there is good oil pressure (60-80psi from cold).
Not much I can do about that as it's a full engine strip down to investigate and fix
Next oil change I will go with a different grade to see if it helps.
Sadly this has not solved my problem, so i'm thinking there is a bad seal on the oil pickup somewhere allowing the oil to drain from the oil pump as the removed filter was full of oil. There are no other
As I said before if I crank the engine over with the ignition off for 3-4 seconds and then start it there is good oil pressure (60-80psi from cold).
Not much I can do about that as it's a full engine strip down to investigate and fix
Next oil change I will go with a different grade to see if it helps.
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
I changed the oil this weekend and things are much better.
I used 15/40 semi synthetic oil.
Now on the start there is an instant pickup of oil pressure
I checked the old oil and there is no evidence of fuel or water contamination.
I used 15/40 semi synthetic oil.
Now on the start there is an instant pickup of oil pressure
I checked the old oil and there is no evidence of fuel or water contamination.
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- Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2002 1:01 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
What grade oil were you using before this.
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
It was from gsf and I believe it was the Fuchs TITAN XTR 10w-40 High Performance Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil.
One thing I have noticed is that cranking speed is now much slower than before.
One thing I have noticed is that cranking speed is now much slower than before.
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:37 am
Re: Odd oil pressure issue
Well I finally nailed the problem
I blue printed a new 30mm shadek pump ensuring perfect flat surfaces on both cover and pump.
Swopped it with the old one (30mm shadek also) and reused the same oil for a fair comparision.
Bingo, pressure is 50% up, cold and hot with a low of 10psi at 800rpm when hot.
Went back and checked the old pump. I held the cover on with no gasket and you can feel a load of clearance on the drive gear
Lesson learnt, check your new oil pumps as they don't make em like they used to!
I blue printed a new 30mm shadek pump ensuring perfect flat surfaces on both cover and pump.
Swopped it with the old one (30mm shadek also) and reused the same oil for a fair comparision.
Bingo, pressure is 50% up, cold and hot with a low of 10psi at 800rpm when hot.
Went back and checked the old pump. I held the cover on with no gasket and you can feel a load of clearance on the drive gear
Lesson learnt, check your new oil pumps as they don't make em like they used to!