Thread: Oil Pressure Dropouts

Originally Posted by drover81

Okay, took the beast up to toolangi on the weekend as a bit of a shakedown test. Had a few minor issues, but nothing to stop me getting home.

Anyway, I found that on the inclines of say, 20-25% +, occasionally, the oil pressure would disappear for a short couple of seconds. It'd typically happen after a pause/restart and then would go away when the revs picked up.

It's been a while since I changed the oil (a month or so) so the it may be a touch below full.

I have a remote oil cooler & filter installed, and my theory is that, due to fact the extra oil required to fill the oil cooler/filter there's less oil in the sump. This in turn would 'slosh' to the back of the sump - far enough away (and sufficiently low level) that'd mean the pickup isn't fully submerged - so the pump would likely struggle to suck up enough oil.

I added a bit (300-400mL) when out, and it seemed to almost go away (happened a couple of times more over the course of the rest of the day).

Is my theory about right? Would the car be more sensitive to oil levels offroad - especially given the remote oil cooler/filter?

N

What is it?

Originally Posted by djam1

What is it?

Ah yeah, forgot that part - p76 V8 in a 2door RRC

Originally Posted by drover81

Ah yeah, forgot that part - p76 V8

Oil pressure gauge or light ?

Both

Is it running the P76 sump? These were known for oil surge problems and a modified oil pickup was fitted to later models. My P76's used to be run with the oil level at the top of the word "MAX" instead of the full line. I did some fairly steep off road driving in these things back in the day.

Originally Posted by bee utey

Is it running the P76 sump? These were known for oil surge problems and a modified oil pickup was fitted to later models. My P76's used to be run with the oil level at the top of the word "MAX" instead of the full line. I did some fairly steep off road driving in these things back in the day.

Umm - pass (not sure). I have no idea how to confirm what sump it is. Is there any visual cues?

Anyway, I found that on the inclines of say, 20-25% +, occasionally, the oil pressure would disappear for a short couple of seconds. It'd typically happen after a pause/restart and then would go away when the revs picked up.

I had something like this happen when I had an oil cooler with a thermostat fitted in the lines in a77 RRC.
I would start at the bottom of an incline then after the oil got warm, I would lose oil pressure as the thermostat opened and the oil filled the empty oil cooler lines and the oil cooler.

I really don't think you need an oil cooler with modern oils.

I think the problem is caused by the oil cooler draining back to the sump. Also Check that the oil cooler lines go into the TOP of the oil cooler not the bottom.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by drover81

Umm - pass (not sure). I have no idea how to confirm what sump it is. Is there any visual cues?

Sump plug. P76 has a 3/4" hex head and 1/2" UNF threaded plug on an angle, Land Rover is a fair bit bigger than 1", pointing horizontally.