Quick question re oil pressure

[STEVE5M]

Sprint 1.5 QV 95bhp

Car has been healthy. Used a bit of oil but nothing major. Oil pressure (when revved or under load) showing at just above 55 on the gauge. Its been dropping and is now a little way below 55 under similar conditions. Oil level is ok.

Best guesses at what may be going on?

A virtual pint for best answer.

Steve

[Alfasixnut]

Possibly a bit of dilution due to petrol or water in the oil - an oil change may be in order or "Italian tune up"........ good fast run to get the oil nice and hot to boil off water/petrol?

[KevJTD]

the pressure senders are very weak, had a few that decide to read low....

[Veesix75]

I wouldnt worry about it, it's not a huge difference.

What viscosity oil are you using, and is the engine temp consistent when you check the pressure .

[STEVE5M]

10w 40 and yes - temp is consistent.

[alfadave]

My guess is you've been thrashing the guts out of it!
Dave

[STEVE5M]

Ha ha!! Just some spirited driving, Dave!

[alfadave]

Look forward to that pint next time I see you in the pub

[PETROLHEAD]

the pressure senders are very weak, had a few that decide to read low....

I'm with Kev on this one, the sender are pretty inaccurate, as can the damping within the gauge themselves.

Its rather crude and can be prone to misreading very easily.

for the price of them, or if you have any spares, i'd swap one at a time and compare results.


you can rebuild and shim the oil pumps for a little more pressure if you suspect thats getting a little tired?

[dave.armstrong]

I bought a brand new sender from Australia and it made no difference so I plumbed in a capillary one for a while to check against the electronic one.

I took readings at each 1000 revs from 1000 to 6000 and they were all to spec so I took it off and have stopped worrying about it.

[STEVE5M]

Cheers, guys. I appreciate the comments. I feel easier about the situation now.

Steve