Hi All,
Started the car for the first time in around a month and the outside temp was low, took a bit longer to start but then was fine. As I pulled out the drive the warning light started flashing with the oil light and the pressure had dropped to zero. There was also a bit more top end noise than normal so immediately pulled back onto the drive, before I shut it off the oil pressure started to come back but then dropped to zero again. Only ran for less than a minute and no more than at idle.
Searches point to a pickup issue and maybe the rubber gasket is original and the cold weather means the pump wasn't able to prime, timing belt looked ok as far as I could tell and the fact that the pressure came back up suggests the pump isn’t seized or separated from its gear.
My questions is, can the oil pan be dropped enough to see the gasket without dropping the subframe?
Engine mounts were replaced about 5 years ago.
Not having a garage means either get the car flatbedded to a shop or waiting until the weather improves before investigating further.

Thanks,
Gary

 

What was the last thing you fixed when was the last oil change what year is your car

 

Hi Mr Merlin, oil change was 6 months ago using the correct classic oil for my car. No work done recently (for a change) and been driven roughly every 2 weeks without an issue. Only difference from previous drives was the temperature was a lot lower. ‘86 model year 16v. First thing I checked was oil level and it was spot on, no leaks underneath.

 

This info points to a sender issue or the 14 pin connector with shedding insulation

 

I would agree but the noisy top end at the same time as a low pressure warning makes me think there’s a genuine pressure issue. Anyway I’ll double check the electrics thanks.

 

If there is noise coming from the engine, it is an oil pressure issue for real.
The first part I would inspect is the oil pressure valve. Take the oil pressure sensor or and inspect the piston for debris and cleanliness. A very small piece of metal or similar is enough to block the movement of the piston, causing oil pressure issues.

 

Good suggestion to check the pressure quadrant for debris,

That said if you notice noise from the valve train then dont run the engine any longer than necessary to diagnose.
Can you describe the noise?
NOTE you can remove one of the bolt plugs on the top of the cam tower to see if its filled with oil.

 

I have had this happen...a -very- few times just for a -few moments- where I mentally froze up..then as it went away chalked it up to the sender.

How do you inspect the 'pressure quadrant'?

 

Thanks for the suggestions, yes will look into the valve next chance I get. The noise was a tapping sound from the cams, I sometimes get this for a second or two after startup after sitting for a while and it only sounds like one or two of them very briefly. This sounded like most of them until I quickly shut it off.

 

Is the 'nose' of the car uphill on your driveway? If the oil level is a bit low (oil contracts in the cooler weather, so level could be lower than it was at moderate temps), and the nose uphill, the pickup doesn't engage with the oil, so there is no pressure. As soon as the car is level, oil will be picked up by the pump. Might be as simple as that, or the more 'mechanical/electrical' issues mentioned above.

Gary

 

That would have to be one helluva hill, and -very- low on oil.

The pickup sits quite far into the sump..

 

Thanks, no the driveway is flat.

 

In case anyone else gets these symptoms, just picked up the car from Paul Anderson and there were issues with the sump/pickup. The sump gasket was very thin and rock hard and the pickup mesh was pushed in and probably too close to the bottom of the pan with sludge on the inside. The rubber gasket was also deformed so may have been sucking air.
Obviously not a common problem, and as other have said the oil system is pretty bulletproof.

 

Gary,

Well done- good move taking the car to Paul- he knows those engines inside out as per his race machine. Sounds as though you dodged a bullet clearly.

How did you get it to Stroud? - presumably flat bedded from the Liffey on the ferry to Holyhead and then a nice drive across the Welsh countryside- and an even better one after repair!.

 

Hi Fred. Yeah he knows these cars inside out, I original planned to get it transported over but post Brexit there’s far fewer transporters making the trip. Too much paperwork and the Irish demand for UK cars has dropped.
Since the oil pressure was fine post startup I drove it both ways and it didnt miss a beat, it is a great drive across North Wales followed by miles of roadworks in England.
He did a load of jobs it would have taken me years to get around to, and then repeated when I screwed it up. No oil leaks and fresh suspension parts all round. I’ve now driven a sorted 928 for the first time :-)