Bottom end overhaul

[gucu]

Hi All

I am about to rebuild the bottom end by renewing the shells. Should I do anything else please? Basically the engine has had the top end rebuilt. After that the engine is not getting full oil pressure. Warning light is on until I rev the engine.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

Rich

[geoberni]

Hi All

I am about to rebuild the bottom end by renewing the shells. Should I do anything else please? Basically the engine has had the top end rebuilt. After that the engine is not getting full oil pressure. Warning light is on until I rev the engine.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

Rich

Don't discount the Oil Pressure Switch. Mine was suddenly doing the same quite recently and it was just the switch.

viewtopic.php?t=78764

[svenedin]

Hi All

I am about to rebuild the bottom end by renewing the shells. Should I do anything else please? Basically the engine has had the top end rebuilt. After that the engine is not getting full oil pressure. Warning light is on until I rev the engine.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

Rich

Don't discount the Oil Pressure Switch. Mine was suddenly doing the same quite recently and it was just the switch.

viewtopic.php?t=78764

Mine too. It was just the switch

[oliver90owner]

Could be the switch - but could also be oil pump, crankshaft bearings or even the PRV leaking/stuck open. Not much else unless an internal gallery plug has failed

What did the shells look like when taken out? Was the engine making naughty noises (when revving it or heavily loaded)? Is there oil at the top end? What grade oil was in it? Does it stay on at a cold start?

If the old shells were worn to the backing, the crankshaft should be measured for size and ovality. The centre one is usually the most worn main bearing.

Fingers crossed that it is the pressure switch. It may not have had much pressure before - the switch is only useful below about 7-8psi. We always called it the idiot light - usually illuminated too late to save the engine.

Fit an oil pressure gauge is always my advice.

[sophia2005]

Could be the switch - but could also be oil pump, crankshaft bearings or even the PRV leaking/stuck open. Not much else unless an internal gallery plug has failed

What did the shells look like when taken out? Was the engine making naughty noises (when revving it or heavily loaded)? Is there oil at the top end? What grade oil was in it? Does it stay on at a cold start?

If the old shells were worn to the backing, the crankshaft should be measured for size and ovality. The centre one is usually the most worn main bearing.
Monkey Mart
Fingers crossed that it is the pressure switch. It may not have had much pressure before - the switch is only useful below about 7-8psi. We always called it the idiot light - usually illuminated too late to save the engine.

Fit an oil pressure gauge is always my advice.

Could a partially stuck pressure relief valve (PRV) cause intermittent low oil pressure even if the bearings and pump seem fine?

[gucu]

Hi

Thanks all for the replies. I have bought an oil pressure gauge which once installed will hopefully help me see if there are further issues.

Rich

[geoberni]

Hi

Thanks all for the replies. I have bought an oil pressure gauge which once installed will hopefully help me see if there are further issues.

Rich

Well do come back and let us know what the eventual outcome is.
Speaking personally, given the cost and time of fitting an pressure gauge, since the problem is the Oil Lamp on at idle, I'd rather spend 5 minutes changing a £6 switch to see if the lamp behaves as it should. Then consider further investigation.
I've always considered an Oil Pressure Gauge as something used with engines that are being worked hard, perhaps that is your intention.