Low oil pressure. Common causes?

[davidpidge]

Hello all,

Another shock issue with Morris. The oil light came on a few weeks ago but very briefly. Just recently though its been coming on a lot. Sometimes going up hill at high revs, sometimes when coasting down hill, sometimes when i'm just cruising along. It also cuts out when the revs drop too low when I stop if I have the clutch down. If my foots off the clutch and its in neutral, it'll idle without cutting out but the timing sounds irregular and far from happy.

Is there a main cause of low oil pressure? Bare in mind that i've never changed the oil .

On the up side......he passed his MOT!!! One advisory, worn trunnion. shocking.

[beero]

You have never changed the oil? In how long???
Cheapest bet would be oil and filter change then see what happens.

[Declan_Burns]

And after changing the oil set the idle so that it doesn't cut out with the clutch down.
Regards
Declan

[MarkyB]

main cause of low oil pressure

Knackered bearings and pump from missed oil and filter changes.
Possibly clogged up oil pick up pipe, same cause.

Drop the sump and clean the muck out, then you can see the pick up pipe and sort it too.

[kennatt]

+how much oil is there in the engine,check it now

[mike.perry]

There is a thing called a dipstick which is used to check the oil level at regular intervals.
In normal use the oil pressure light would only come on at slow engine speeds on a knackered engine.

[bmcecosse]

If the oil light came on 'going up hill at high revs' then your engine is now ruined. Almost certainly caused initially by low oil level in the sump - but now the bearing shells and probably the crank will be scored and worn. Try an oil and filter change - make sure the spring and plate are present - but I suggest you also start looking for another engine - urgently.

[mike.perry]

I am surprised that the engine has not siezed yet.

[Kevin]

There is a thing called a dipstick which is used to check the oil level at regular intervals.

Well I hope he knows what that is.

[davidpidge]

Oh dear.

[kennatt]

and also get someone who knows what they are at to look at the worn trunnion,probably more important than the engine problem

[davidpidge]

and also get someone who knows what they are at to look at the worn trunnion,probably more important than the engine problem

A slightly worn trunnion isnt a big issue. I replaced the top and bottom trunnions on the other side for the MOT. The engine issue is deffinately very worrying!

[katy]

The oil pressure should be checked with a proper test gauge so you know what's going on.
May be the oil pressure switch is acting up.
May be the relief valve is stuck open or has a broken spring.

[kennatt]

A slightly worn trunnion isnt a big issue[quote] Isn't it well there you go.

[MarkyB]

It isn't a big issue to him because he knows how to fix it, having done the other side already.

[morris minor man]

hi i had that problem on and old ford transit mk1 the light can on one day low oil..on removing the sump pan it was crap up in oily crud.once cleaned it ran for many years...and on the a35 it was the releaf valve is was scored and had jamed up ...renewed it and its fine now...

[mowogg]

I would replace the oil pressure switch before you use it again as this might be the casue. I have had 2 go on me -they have failed showing no pressure at thigh revs.