Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, has anyone some useful suggestions regarding changing the Oil Pressure Switch that is situated on the engine and not where the oil filter is, any suggestions on how to cope with this would be welcome. I have decided to change the switch because the oil pressure light on the speedo keeps coming on, so I have decided to change the filter and also the switch with the hope to finding a solution to this problem. One more thing, I also noticed that the engine has also a pressure or heat swith for the cooling system, that is screewed into the engine close to the water pump, but if I am correct it not connected to a warning light, but it does have a wire connected to it, thanks

The oil pressure switch is beside the oil filter - and the dizzy - screwed into the block. Simply unscrew it - access is poor. Some later cars also have a switch built into the oil filter casing - this one indicates only when the filter is blocked. As far as I know - it can't be changed. There is no 'overheat' switch or warning light on a Minor - the sensor you have must be for an electric temperature gauge - which of course may no longer be on the car.

Sorry but whats the "dizzy". And if I looked well the oil pressure switch should be the one screwed into the block placed, lets say above the starter motor. regarding the sensor that is screwed into the engine close to the water pump, I have no idea, I just know that if it is unscrewed water from the cooling system pours out, but where the wire leads to is unclear. I will post a picture of the engine so maybe someone can give me some extra info thanks.

Dizzy is slang for distributor!

How does your engine sound?? A Minor A series engine should run with a smooth loud hum and a light tap at the top end of the engine (the valves opening and closing). Any knocking noise is bad. The oil light coming on could mean that the engine is worn out, or the oil pump.

well you have me there, well there is a slight noise that is coming from the vent, thought that it could be the water pump or some bearing inside it. And where is the oil pump, ??

Switch on the thermo housing by the pump is for a temp gauge. Minors never had them as standard so previously one must have been fitted and is now disconnected. Some senders are just purely switches which, if wired to a light, will put it on if the engine gets too hot. The oil pressure switch screws out the same way as the temp switch. When you changed the filter was the spring and plate still in the canister housing? If not, this will ruin the main bearings in no time and could be the cause of your low oil pressure....

joeone62 wrote:And where is the oil pump, ??

On the back of the engine driven by the camshaft and hidden from view because the gearbox bell housing is fitted over that area...

well i will try to follow the wire from the termo switch to see where it leads to. I have yet to open the canister housing but when I do I will bear in mind what you mentiond: One thing I cannot figure out is that the oil pressure switch seems to be round, that is on the top its not pantagon shape to fit a wrench around to unscrew but it seems to be round, any suggestiones

Look under the round part and you will see some flats to which you can apply the jaws of an open ended wrench.

Thanks as soon as the new parts arrive I will have a full oil change, and hope that all will be fine

Just make sure the spring and plate are still there or else it will be all in vain

I sense a disaster approaching......... Why don't you just pull the wire off that switch - and run the engine for a 10 mile trip. Is the light that's worrying you still coming on ? Maybe someone has discovered a temperature switch, and has connected it to the yellow light that is normally the oil-filter-blocked warning - so if that light still comes on - try changing the oil and filter (and make sure the plate/spring are present) and see if that helps. If not - now pull the wire from the temperature switch - if that stops the light, then maybe the engine is indeed getting a bit hot - and that light was telling you! Finally - reconnect the original wire to the pressure switch - another 10 mile run to check no oil pressure warnings! Of course - an oil pressure gauge should be your top priority ! I really don't think you need a new oil pressure switch - they are very reliable - and quite difficult to change without removing the dizzy.

Before you start taking bits off your engine I suggest that you get yourself a workshop manual and spend a considerable time with your head under the bonnet identifying all the parts of the engine. You can do a lot of damage to your car, your wallet and yourself if you do not know what you are doing

Well thanks for the suggestion, and well I already have four or five workshop manuals, but at times personal experiance from others can be more helpful than all the workshop manuals available. And one of the pleasures of owning a morris is the fact that you can collect information, disocuvering things as you go along and building up yourown knowhow, that is better than reading any manual. But also I think that these forums are such good use to exchange infor, if not we would all just buy ourselves simple manuals without having the need to exchange comments brtween us, so lets keep the info flowing for the good use of all of use, thanks

I was not meaning to be offensive, but there are some people around who would benefit from being able to identify the principle parts of an engine and be aware of the need for safe practices such as disconnecting the battery, securing the car on stands and fire prevention when carrying out tasks.

I know, non harm done, its just a simple exchange of opinions, hope some day to collect enough experiance to help others, including yourself who I am sure has far more experiance as myself. One thing is true, Safety first, nobody wants anyone getting hurt while enjoying their thing

joeone62 wrote:I know, non harm done, its just a simple exchange of opinions, hope some day to collect enough experiance to help others, including yourself who I am sure has far more experiance as myself. One thing is true, Safety first, nobody wants anyone getting hurt while enjoying their thing

i love 'enjoying my thing'

Funny, however in this picture from another member you can see the switch that I have mentioned, its not very clear how to get this off[frame][/frame]

Well well, just received some new info. It seems that on this kind of switch the only way to get it off is using a monkey wrench, or a plumbers wrench. Other suggestions???

joeone62 wrote:Well well, just received some new info. It seems that on this kind of switch the only way to get it off is using a monkey wrench, or a plumbers wrench. Other suggestions???

i can't really see what is difficult here. shove a pair of stilsons on it and it'll be off whilst the kettle's boiling.