TDV8 oil pressure concerns

**Graeme** · 24th February 2024, 09:57 PM

I fitted an oil pressure gauge because of an increasing number of bearing failures in the 4.4 SDV8 engines in the L405 and that the pressure specs indicate that low oil pressure is intentional.

I am concerned at my engine's dramatic drop in oil pressure within minutes of a cold start even with new Castrol Magnatec 5W30 A5 oil, being the same oil recommended for non-DPF TDV6/SDV6 engines. Upon start-up with oil that's done 10K kms the pressures are great, 40 psi at 1200 rpm and topping out at 65 psi at 3400 rpm due to the pressure relief valve opening, but once warm even with new oil the pressures are very low, topping out at 35 psi at 2800 rpm. The engine is very willing to work at 1250 rpm but oil pressure is only 15 psi, rising to 19 psi at 1500 rpm. These pressures are close to specifications. The vehicle has travelled 180K kms.

Having followed discusisons on the use of 5W40 oil in the TD/SDV6 engine, I'm now expecting to try a suitable 5W40 oil after around 5K kms of this new oil. I'll be able to monitor cold and hot pressures so will know whether to continue with 5W40 or revert to 5W30.

**p38arover** · 25th February 2024, 07:48 AM

Is this intentional low oil pressure all in the name of lowering friction to improve economy and lower emissions?

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 25th February 2024, 07:49 AM

Good Job! I would like a 40 weight in mine..

**Graeme** · 25th February 2024, 10:22 AM

Yes, to reduce emissions. LR state that only low pressure is needed and Gen 2 SDV6 engines which might have a higher capacity pump have a solenoid-operated bypass to reduce idle pressure to save fuel to improve emissions.

I read that the A5/B5 oil specification is a fuel economy specification so dropping that spec in an otherwise suitable synthetic 5W40 is on the cards.

**Laurie** · 25th February 2024, 05:47 PM

Graeme
Is there any C1/C4 graded 5w-40 oil available yet, or will the A5/B5 specification be sufficient ? Very closely following this, as I'm contemplating to maybe buy a MY16 L405 TdV8 AB, instead of a very hard to find low k L322 4.4 TdV8 AB.

Laurie

**Graeme** · 25th February 2024, 06:22 PM

A quick check revealed that Castrol Magnatec Diesel DX 5W40 has C3 rating, suitable for DPFs. C3 is a mid-SAPS oil similar to C2 but with a slightly higher minimum viscosity than C2 oils, so possibly OK to use in the TDV8. A5/B5 oil can't be used with a DPF.

I would favour a MY16 L405 over a MY11/12 L322.

**Graeme** · 26th February 2024, 07:17 AM

The typical specs for Castrol Magnatec Diesel DX 5W40 and Castrol Edge A3/B4 5W40 are almost identical except for the low ASH in Diesel DX for DPF compatibility. The Kinematic viscosity @ 100 deg C is 13.4 for these 2 oils but only 10.1 for Magnatec Start-Stop 5W30 A5 and 9.6 for the obsoleted Magnatec Professional 5W30 A5, the original LR recommendation. Penrite HPR 5W40 is 14.4 which might be a better option if no DPF and hot pressures are still a little low.

I'll be replacing my just-changed Magnatec 5W30 A5 with Edge A3/B4 5W40 in the next day or 2.

**Laurie** · 26th February 2024, 01:04 PM

The Ford Spec for the 4.4 TdV8 is M2C913B, which is listed in the Penrite HPR 5W-40 Spec Sheet. If I'm reading this right, would it be suitable for Non-DPF 4.4TdV8's in Rangie's ?

Ford WSS-M2C913-B
The Ford M2C913-B specification is released in Europe for initial fill engine oils used for lubrication of spark ignition engines using gasoline and for compression ignition engines using diesel fuels. The specification is also used to define engine oils for servicing Ford engines where applicable. The oil shall meet all the requirements of the ILSAC GF-2 and GF-3 specification, the ACEA A1-98 and B1-98 specification and additional Ford requirements.

Laurie

**Graeme** · 26th February 2024, 04:50 PM

Yes, I've seen that and agree that the Penrite should be OK, although I expect that the Ford spec is for a more fuel efficient oil than the Penrite. Valvoline SynPower 5W40 A3/B4 is another although not for DPFs. However for other than using the specified oil for the duration of the warranty period, I'm done with thin fuel-efficient oil that doesn't provide adequate bearing protection. I've just done a run in 34 deg ambient using gears manually to keep revs at least 1500 to 1800 trying to keep oil pressure up to 15 psi, not liking 10-12 psi at 100 kph in 8th. 2000 rpm was needed to get to 20 psi on a gauge that tested 2 psi optimistic compared with my trusted German tyre pressure gauge at 20 psi in the tyre.

I ran out of time to collect the A3/B4 5W40 that I bought online yesterday so will collect it tomorrow and do the change-over tomorrow afternoon.

**Graeme** · 27th February 2024, 04:49 PM

I'm disappointed that oil pressure has only increased marginally across the rev range with the 5W40 A3/B4 oil. Revs and pressures in 35 deg ambient and oil temp 85 after a short drive on my driveway:
idle 12, 1200 15, 1500 20, 2000 30, 3000 still only 35 maximum, the same as new 5W30 A5 a few days ago. Maximum was just over 40 at 3000 rpm when the oil was 65 deg, which is about on spec for a new engine with 5W30 A5.

The pump part number has changed twice since this pump was first used on MY09 3.6 TDV6 and still on MY13 L405 4.4. I can change the pump myself providing the sump doesn't have to be dropped as stated in the WSM, hopfully like the TDV6 where the sump doesn't have to be lowered.

It's time to have a chat with a specialist about the whole issue.

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