Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 04:52:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: Bert Clewits
Subject: oil pressure
Hi Impers,
I got a question for you:
My Stiletto has a nasty habit to lose oil pressure when cold and taking a left corner at lets say 30Kmh speed (so very moderate).
The oil pressure gauge goes right to zero and the light comes on for several seconds to half a minute.
I have never noticed such a bad effect cornering at this low speed.
When hot, things are much better !
The engine is running fine, is overhauled and I can't find anything wrong on it, I use 20W50 oil, sf/cc, it a few weeks since oil change Oil pressure is over 50 lbs/inch2 cold and slightly les when hot. Oil level is OK, flame trap ends in a bottle not on the air filter.
Any ideas or do I have to baffle the sump !
Regards Bert
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 13:39:23 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary and Carol Henderson
Subject: RE: oil pressure
Hi Bert
When CT475 was apart I found that the intake gauze & pipe were actually loose - the assembly would move with cornering forces, in exactly an ideal way! My first guess at the 'proper' position to lock the intake to proved quite wrong & gave similar results to yours. This was 12 years ago so I can't remember 100%, but I think the 'wrong' position was tidily fore-and-aft; there is a picture in the Rootes manual which gives some idea of the correct position, along with a command to 'never' take the pipe off the oilpump cover - you should remove it with the cover. (Presumably to maintain the correct angle.) This was no help to me as mine was already loose!
I think I might have used PTFE threadseal tape to get it to stay in the right place. I have to take a lot of corners including adverse camber of road etc and solid gradients, but never have trouble with oil-light coming on even when oil is at LOW on dipstick.
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 17:14:19 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Simon Trickett
Subject: RE: oil pressure
Hello,
Yep my friend and I have this problem with the Oil light quite a lot.
I have a 67 Imp sport. Unless the sump is Full the light comes on when you go swiftly around uphill left-hand corners. As for you problem when the engine is cold; perhaps the oil does not return to the sump as quickly when the engine and oil are not warm, this would lower the sump level.
I have found that the best oil to use is Valvoline Racing 20/50W, it's not cheap but it's the business.
I think a big sump + baffles are needed. I believe somebody at the last Imp international was trying to get enough support to get a run of large baffled alloy sumps done.????
Simon
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 10:40:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: Simon Trickett
Subject: RE: oil pressure
Yep this is a good point !!
One of my Imps 'Nigel' had the oil pick up pipe that had come loose from the oil pump plate (the bit the manual says do not separate!). I suppose it could also be distorted or moved if the pipe came accidentally into contact with the ground when working with the sump off and the engine out of the car.
Simon Trickett (Simon.Trickett@signal.co.uk)
Signal Computing Ltd. Tel: +44 1483 579900
20 Nugent Road Fax: +44 1483 562836
The Surrey Research Park
Surrey GU2 5AF
UK.
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 19:07:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Bert Clewits
Subject: Re: oil pressure
Hi gary,
But then you must have had oil pressure loss when the engine was at running temp. also !?
Mine is then Ok.
I was thinking, isn't there a bypass valve for the oil filter ? could it be that when the oil is thick (cold) it would open but then again this would not match with the cornering !
Anyway I'll get the sump off and have a closer look.
thanks
Bert