Morris Minor Owners Club

I took the lowlight out for a run this afternoon as it was quite dry, also remembered to put anti freeze in as it wasnt done since the rebuild. The battery was very low and it was handy having Stevey with me to start it on the handle!!

It was running very well, pulling as well as can be expected but the oil pressure was only reading about 20 - 30 and took a while for the pressure to come up. Normally on this car it goes to 60 straight away and would sit about 30 - 40 when hot.

I havent done anything about it yet, we covered about 15 miles with no strange noises from the engine and as I say going well. Could there be dirt in the pipe or a faulty gauge perhaps? Any ideas please!!

Hello David

How old is your oil.

And how old is your oil filter.

The filter could be blocked.

Jamie

You could try disconnecting the oil pipe from the gauge, putting the end in a jar and turning the engine over on the starter for a couple of seconds. That should clear any blockages out of the pipe. After the original feed pipe on my MM broke I replaced it with a modern flexible pipe, same connections.
I have never had a problem with a faulty gauge on the MM.
Have you got another gauge you can try. Any gauge will do to test.
The other option is a faulty oil pump or possibly the pick up pipe on the oil pump has become loose. If there was a bearing problem I would expect the oil pressure to drop gradually as mine did before the ends started rattling, I was still getting 20 - 30 psi.
I assume that there is plenty of oil in the sump and you haven't got a pool of oil under the car

There was plenty of oil in the sump and it pulled well with david and my combined weight!!!! there was no knocking noise or anything. the oil and filter were changed after the engine build just over 700 miles ago and the gauage has worked accurately since then until now.

Try another short run and see if you get the same problem. Do you get 60 psi on a cold engine?

My idea is a frozen engine and also frozen oil (viscose) after the harm engine you have a normal pressure, so when you start driving the car in the winter you must go first slowly till the engine is warm, by the way at the moment our Automovel Club de Portugal Classico ( more or less your RAC, but this part of the Club Classico is for the Classic cars ) we have one a small work shop whow we can take car of our cars and also restauration, and yesterday was there people from Castrol Oil company who explain that perfect, I have all the papers work about this matter (all in English) if you want I can sent to you the file, if you want sent me a PM
Cheers
carlos

I recently had the instrument panel off and am now wondering if I upset something in the oil gauge, I think I will try removing the pipe and pumping some into a jar and if no joy I have a spare gauge though condition is unknown.

I suppose I should also change the oil as its just over 700 miles since the engine rebuild and everything will be well bedded in by now.

Yes Mike I normally get around 60 straight from starting and it only goes down when warm and idling.

Carlos, pm sent, cheers

Today i took the dash panel off and remove the pipe. When I started the engine it took about 2 minutes for any oil to appear and even then it was only a trickle. I then removed the other end of the pipe and started it, the oil then spurted out. So blocked pipe perhaps. I tried to blow through it with no joy. I removed the pipe from the car, which then broke in 2 bits. It has a very rusty section.

So a new pipe is required, Mike you mentioned replacing yours with a flexible pipe. Where did you get it? I take it none of the specailist would keep these pipes.

At least you have found the problem. As a temporary solution remove the nut off the end of the pipe and get one of those "festoon" bulbs with the brass cap on each end. Break off one of the caps and put it in the nut, pointed end towards the engine. Screw the nut back on the oil feed pipe and it will seal it off until you fit a new pipe. I keep mine in my tool box in case I ever need it again.
The flexible pipe I used was from a standard Smiths gauge. I can't remember where I got it from, it was a long time ago. Maybe a motor accessory shop or try the internet, you may have to buy a gauge to go with it.

What about using capillary pipe from an old thermostat assembly?

You are better off with a flexible pipe, less likely to break again. You also need the correct joints and fittings, don't forget there is 60psi+ in the pipe which can be awfully messy if anything breaks and can wreck the engine before you spot anything wrong

While I was restoring my Morris I would regularly crank the engine over on the starter just to keep it all lubed up - except that once I had forgotten I had the dash out (with oil gauge) made quite a mess behind the dash!

This is the Mini type :
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx? ... &title=OIL GAUGE PIPE 5'

New pipe fitted today a great sucess. I used the pipe that Carlo suggested which is grand, a good fit and the correct length, cost just a few pence over £5 and the pressure came up to 60 quickly as usual, a huge releif that the bottom end wasnt on the way out!!!!!!

The only thing I not keen on is that its plastic, I would prefer a metal/copper one and will keep my looking for one. Main thing is though that were motoring again, though not far until the warmer weather <br><br>

yea success!!!

I have a plastic feed pipe which is mostly hidden behind the exhaust manifold and then is inside the car through the bulkhead and out of sight.

I dont think I would worry about it being plastic - think it might be better than the original - especially if it they cause probs/might fracture?

Once again OPE is having oil pressure issues

The plastic pipe is still fine, pressure is reading around 20 on start up. No strange noises or anything, pulling as well as can be expected in fact running well if I didnt have this gauge staring at me reading so low.

So far I have checked the pipe, its fine no blockages and oil coming out into a jar ok. Also tried another gauge and it reads the same. It had an oil and filter change about 200 miles ago.

My brother thinks sump off and check the oil pump which was fine when the engine was rebuilt in May 2009. Any good ideas before we drop the sump??

I'm thinking the same as your brother......

What about the pressure relief valve?
Easier to look at, and a more likely culprit than such a new pump.