Going to pick up some "cheap" oil today. If I'm going back to mineral oil should I change the filter again, or is a little bit of synthetic mixed not matter?
Oil change update.. Grabbed some Shell Helix hx5 15-40 mineral oil from Supercheap today (less than $30 for 5L....pretty cheap). After the oil change I have to say I cant really notice any difference. Stock oil pressure gauge still reads about the same, 3/4 on cold start then dropping to zero at idle when at running temp. The gauge seems to be operating normally, not jumping around or anything stupid. Is it still possible that there is a sender issue, or is the problem more likely engine related? Cant say I could notice any difference in the noise either. For those who have seen the video of the lifters that I've just replaced (video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sQuwta3oEA&feature=youtu.be), can this situation fix itself? Can lifters repressurise? I'm guessing the answer will be no and the only fix is to once again pull it all apart to fix them . I'm starting to wonder whether I'll be doing this for the rest of my life....... Otherwise noise seem to be the same as previous lifter noise, just not as bad yet.
Zero oil pressure at idle is definitely not where it's meant to be. Either the gauge/sender is stuffed or you literally have no oil pressure which is another problem entirely. Get another gauge onto it
Some times the oil pressure senders get muck in them after years of running. This will affect the gauge reading. The fix is to clean out or replace the sender. This will not change your actual oil pressure though. Cheers Dave
Dave, in the case of a dirty sender do you know if you would see what I'm seeing on my gauge....ie it works but idles at zero? Cold starts show good pressure.
If the oil change did not change anything at all, then that is not a good sign. Have you taken it for a long run recently - this can sometimes help as many motors that don't get a proper workout can develop issues similar I am drawing at straws now...... I can only offer morale support really
No it hasn't had any good runs since the engine went in. Problem is there has been so many problems I'm not game to take it far. Morale support is welcomed.....morale has been low for a while.
did you do that trick we have mentioned before, run a diesel oil through your engine for a week or so, it has high detergent in it and cleans all sorts of shit out of oil passages and lifters don't run too much turbo boost, and this stopped mine from ticking in the tappets just saying, it is an old mechanics trick
What reason for running low boost with diesel oil? I am running a metric shit tonne of boost with 15/40 diesel oil and have no fear of any issues. Marcus, take it for a good run. You don't have to go hours away, but go stretch it's legs a bit. Lifters will repressurise and some can take quite a while. Just because they are clean doesn't mean they will work, ball and seat wear can cause the cleanest lifter to rattle.
mholt: haven't tried it yet, this engines had enough bloody oil to last it to the next century already. TeeJay: I'll give it a good run before doing anything else.....maybe the gods will shine and those lifters will repressurise.
When I mean take it for a long run, I mean locally around in circles but ideally on a freeway setting where you can maintain a steady 3500 - 4000RPM without using the accelerator - valves can often settle from the constant cycling of optimal gas cycling (less carbon high flow of gases at temperature can help to settle valves). At least its an option other than stripping and you have the right oil to do it with minimal wear conditions and low carbon output (15w+) - I have done this many times in various cars with good results previously If it works great - if not - not so good - there's not much left after that in terms of options Best of luck :zlove:
With a blocked oil sender you can get a few symptoms. 1 - gauge just doesn't work at oil ( just to blocked to let pressure thru blockage ) 2 - gauge only shows pressure at higher rev's ( needs higher pressure to force oil thru the blockage ) 3 - gauge can show pressure when motor is switched off ( takes a while to bleed back to motor thru blockage ) 4 - very erratic gauge readings Of course this in no way effects the actual oil pressure. Cheers Dave
when u changed the lifters on passenger side did u open up drives side and make sure they had no play at the time, if u did not they could have always been shot and just couldn't hear the quieter noise over the louder bank
Thanks for that. I've ordered a new sender to rule out this as a problem. Only way to be sure I suppose.
Yes I thought of that myself, but it was a very clear and distinct noise that was easily located to the front passenger side of the engine. I think that if it was making this noise on the other side I would have been able to hear it......maybe....I guess well never know now.
so your plenum is of again yeah ? take your cams of as well and post a pick of your lifers make sure they are all in and down , if you dont mind doing the work again and its not to much trouble
No not off again yet. I've changed to a different oil and I'm going to drive it for a while to see if there's any improvement. If there is no joy there I'll have to pull it down again and will get some photos.
Yes Marcus, take it for a good run. Lifter noise wont go idling in the garage. They need a good drive to get them nicely pressurized. If the noise goes away then thats all it is. I wouldnt worry about anything major. Lifters do tick especially if its been sitting dry for a while.
