Arrgghhh Oil pressure light.

[pauldaf44]

Just went to take mums modern out. Started fine oil pressure light went off as normal. Revs pick up and BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP flashing oil can light. Switched it off imediatly and checked oil absolutly normal a bit dark buts it due a service soon. No sign of any external leaks. It did however sound quite tappitty. Please be a warning light fault and not a buggered oil pump pleaaaassseeee.

[spunkymonkey]

How cold are you down there? Oil pressure would normally rise as the revs increase - hence light flickering at idle being the usual first sign of trouble. If it's dropping as you rev then it may be that the oil is getting a little thick in the cold and the pump's starting to cavitate rather than pump. Even modern multigrades can only go so far in coping with temp extremes and if you've been having the -7 or so we've been having then that's pretty extreme!

If the light's off at idle then let it warm up for a few minutes like that and see if it improves.

[pauldaf44]

Well had the AA out to see if there computer picked anything up and learn't something new. The cam chain tensioner on these is driven by oil pressure. The tappetty sound was not tappets and in fact was the cam chain flapping about. Im glad I switched her off quick. Its going to need a system flush a new tensioner and possibly a new pump. Thankfully it didn't jump a tooth a bugger the head

[Bob Scrivens]

Oil and filter change needed there Paul

[pauldaf44]

Its a 2002 seat ibiza chill. 1.4mpi

[Bob Scrivens]

With the cold weather and old oil Paul it does not help as most engines now can have hydraulic tappets and chain tensioners.
I would suspect your mum's car would have full or semi synthetic 5-30 or 10-40.
Would also help the battery with the starting.

Bob.

[dafdaffer]

allot of moderns dont have a filter change the same time as the oil, berligo filters are about 22000 so about every two years although for £8 its done every time the oils done.

so it may be worth a look?

[Nick the man with a daf....]

hi mate, had this on the wifes 309.. thick oil blew the tensioner out because of how cold it had got.. if it hadnt jumped as you say you have got off very lightly..

modern cars really are a pain aint they... give me a bit of rubber an a spring anytime...

[pauldaf44]

Ok Mr AA was definaltly talking out of his backside. Had the cam cover off today and timing cover.

First point to note its a belt not a chain. Second point to note is that its tensioned by a coiled spring tensioner not a hydraulic one.

I thought I would check wether or not there was oil coming up to the cam shaft. So removed the cam cover disconected the coil and removed the spark plugs. The plan then was to turn it over and look for oil getting where it should. This is where things went wrong.

I got dopey and didn't think turning the engine over with the cam cover off would be a problem. It was! It turned 2 maybe 3 times and then the camshaft made a bid for freedom. Thankfully stopped it before any damage done but im now not sure whether or not the valve timing will be correct.

Has anyone come accross a cam cover with built in camshaft shell bearings in it. Meaning that you cannot remove the cover without splitting the bearings and leaving the camshaft free to try and escape

[spunkymonkey]

Jan 3, 2011 15:01:08 GMT pauldaf44 said:

Has anyone come across a cam cover with built in camshaft shell bearings in it. Meaning that you cannot remove the cover without splitting the bearings and leaving the camshaft free to try and escape

Yes - from the sound of it you have (now).

Oh, sorry, that's not very helpful is it ;D

I haven't but it sort of makes sense from the design POV - no reason to remove the cover if you've got hydraulic or shimmed followers unless you're doing something that'll involve cam removal (belt or the shaft itself) cos there's nothing to routinely adjust in there!

[pauldaf44]

Perfect sense untill you want to see if theres adequate oil flow to the top end but cant turn the engine over without the camshaft going awol

[Nick the man with a daf....]

aluminium cylinder heads very rarely have extra bearing surfaces on them.. the cam will just run in the aluminium quite happily.. as to the cover being the bearings.. no not come across that and am surprised seat have adopted such a crap design as their older stuff used to be spot on..

timing marks will be a pointer on the cam wheel that points to either a matching mark on head OR the flat edge where the rocker cover actually sits..
down below it will either be in flywheel through a rubber bung on top of bell housing (two marks.. one T one F) think you need T (again if it follows volks trend)dont turn it over till you have the timing confirmed