oil pressure

[daverclasper]

Hi folks

 

Car holds good pressure on the gauge, but I understand some things can be fettled to show this.

 

Have read that if the gauge is fluctuating slightly (which mine does on my uneven idle) or losing a bit under load (say, going up a motorway incline, which mine does), then maybe the bearing aren't holding the pressure.

 

Any advice on this and if it's a problem (car just has road use and not thrashed, does about 3000 miles a year) would be great.

 

Thanks, Dave 

[Pete Lewis]

There is only one spec triumph give thats 40 60 psi at 2000rpm

 

if the idle is lumpy then the pressure will correspond the same

 

motorway driving will raise the oil temperature and pressures may reduce

If you drop below 6psi at idle and the oil light comes on you are heading for long term trouble

 

odd variations are nothing to get emotive about , one train of thought if its worrying is remove the gauge

 

what oil do you use , low spec oils cause wild variations from cold to hot

[Darren Groves]

Valvoline VR1 20w50 reportedly gives improved and more consistent oil pressure. I have used this oil, but don't have an oil pressure gauge to clarify.

 

There are some 20w60 oils out there....

[david lewis]

my 13/60 oil  pressure is 80psi at tickover when cold and the same at about 3000revs when hot dropping to around 40 at tickover--is this too high ?

cheers

[dougbgt6]

My GT6 is much the same, 80 cold and 40 hot but, can you trust the gauge? You may like to check your pressure relief valve spring. The pressure relief valve is on the side of the block, near the oil filter. Ordinary spring has 17 turns, uprated 20. Don't know why I know that!   

[Pete Lewis]

I do .............but i wont tell to many

 

Pete

[daverclasper]

Thanks a lot for your replies

 

The oil I'm using is Wilko's classic 20W-50 at £15.00 for 5 Litres, which might horrify some.

 

Cheers, Dave 

[Pete Lewis]

You need an oil, with lots of zzzd , the lower spec oils dont have the addatives and our age ofnengine desing need them

 

I tried a low grade 20/50 from my factors and whilst normal runs managed okmif used more spirited

or speedy cruising the pressure would halve very quickly, with quite alarming variations

using Millers ( club shop )or Valvoline VR1 returned to a stable and predictable pressure in all operating conditions

 

I think a change to a oil around £20 + and you will find its very different to the budget oils

I noticed some in the Range shops and its not showing any AP1 or ACEA specifications at all

just saying 20/50 is not good enough for our engines

 

if you only toottle down to the shops amd an occastional short run it may be fine but anything spirited or

off for a 100 mile run , the cheap oil soon shows its weakness

 

pete

[daverclasper]

Thanks for your replies.

 

It is showing AP1 SE CC

 

Not good enough?.

 

Also is any 20/50 not good enough?.

 

Cheers, Dave

[Guest]

Hello Dave.

 

I have been singing the praises of Millers 20W/50 classic oil, which contains high ZDDP levels, for years and I have to say it's a hard one to beat.

 

My Vitesse is used hard and also abroad where summer temperatures mean summer temperature in the 30 degree plus area.

 

The oil keeps its "cool" under such driving / temperature conditions with excellent idle and running pressure.

 

I buy my Millers from Ebay via a company called Opieoils based in Cornwall; currently on Ebay 171316809653

 

Quite often they sell the oil for about £22 for 5L, but currently trending at just under £25. Being a fan of Millers Oil I also use their oil for my 4x4 modern (Millers XFE) and Sunbeam Alpine (same as the Vitesse) .

 

Some may say oil is oil, but that statement could not be further from the truth.

 

Oh yes, Opieoils also despatch via free postage and it arrives within a couple of days - what are you waiting for !!

 

Regards.

 

Richard.

[dougbgt6]

Yes, Millers 20/50 good stuff and sold by the club shop. ( Will the price match Richard's ebay price?)

[daverclasper]

Cheers

 

Millers seems the way.

 

It is a mineral ?.

 

Wasn't aware of the zzzz,s (zinc ?) being important.  Also engine hardly ever goes over 3500 revs, so thought ok.

 

Also, is it beneficial to give the engine a bit of a thrash, now and again, as these days I'm more like a Sunday driver 24/7.

 

Cheers, Dave 

[Pete Lewis]

You dont have to thrash it,,, its just a bit more fun

 

having gone from a rorty Vit6 to a 2000 saloon it takes a while to get the smile back

 

All the cars are all happy tootling or tearing around they do both quite well

 

its not an issue

 

but plent of zzds helps with rocker wear etc. And with the sort of clearances we have stick to the specified 20/50 grades

 

pete