...but I have no idea if they contain the correct fitments Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
6th Aug 2020 12:19 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4655
Kev decent quality oil pressure testers are expensive, if you don't intend using it on multiple vehicles you could consider a digital gauge fitted "in car" permanently. Not cheap either, but at least you could take it with you if you move on.
Personally I would steer well away from a cheap gauge to measure critical values such as oil pressure!
Others will disagree for different reasons, but it's just my twopence worth based on over 40 years using them.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
6th Aug 2020 12:40 am
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
Cheers Prof
I don't want to spend a fortune because it's only for me to have in my box, as a DIY mechanic, to have a play around with and do a bit of diagnosis on my driveway.
I've seen some little digital gauges on eBay and Amazon etc. but I have no idea what they are like in terms of accuracy. I don't want to be throwing good money away if they are not worth bothering with.
Before I strip it down, I just wanted to make sure that it's not due to poor oil pressure at the hydraulic lifters.Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
Last edited by knwatkins on 20th Aug 2020 10:33 pm. Edited 1 time in total
6th Aug 2020 3:21 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4655
If it's of any help I have always cured "ticky" lifters with a new oil pump which is much less invasive than attacking the cams. (Though I appreciate this approach may not always yield my experiences)
As is already well known, the oil pumps are poor to say the least at generating pressure at idle, and less so once the motor reaches operating temperature. You can reduce that further when engines get into their twilight years. I have always found with engines over 100k, a new pump boosts the idle pressure to where it would have been and seems to cure this problem.
Though I must admit for all the pumps I have dismantled, I never found one with "obvious" abnormal internal wear.
That said, I have come to form the view that a new oil pump on all TDV6 engines after 100k is a good idea regardless of the historical issues surrounding the D3 pumps. And for those engines, obviously a new pump in place of the original is sensible to say the least.
As for the oil pressure tester I would suggest buying a British or EU made item if you want to be confident of an accurate reading. You could buy a cheap digital one online in the interests of "scientific research" and post you findings here for appraisal
In their favour though, very easy to connect up with no mess, just a splice into the existing sender loom signal, one to earth, and one to batt+. (or plug and play with it's own sensor and an adaptor) The question is will you believe what the gauge is telling you? The only way to confirm / dismiss the reading is to compare it with that of a quality tester!
Another option might be to use 5w/40 engine oil and raise the viscosity to see if that helps. Since we live in a mild climate this should not present any issues relating to ambient temperatures. Indeed some forum members are already doing this, but you'd need to check it out first if yours has a DPF for compatibility.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
Last edited by PROFSR G on 6th Aug 2020 3:07 pm. Edited 1 time in total
6th Aug 2020 12:24 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
Does the early 3.0 have an existing oil pressure sensor then? the 2.7 doesn't.
GStuart did some research into the fittings and stuff, and was considering a digital gauge.
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4655
Yes that's right he'd need an adaptor as I think they're all single switched sensors.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
6th Aug 2020 1:20 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
Hi gents, thanks for that. I'll have a chat with Gary to see what gauge he has been using when he did his pressure tests a while back.
My oil pump has only 5k miles on it and was replaced for a new FoMoCo one when I had my Oval Autos rebuild done. So that would have been with all new lifters too. But what I'm wondering is - could I have a faulty lifter?
My plan was to remove the oil pressure sensor from the left hand head and simply screw in a pressure gauge in its place, as per the workshop manual, so I could check the oil pressure before I went down the route of removing the inlet manifold, cams etc. to replace all of the lifters in the left hand head (if I actually have the balls to do it that is ).
Concerning using a 5w40 oil, I have a DPF so I need to use the C1 grade oil. I'm not aware of any C1 oil in a 5w40 viscosity so I need to stick to the 5w30 C1.Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
6th Aug 2020 9:55 pm
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 871
Position I screwed it inMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
6th Aug 2020 10:44 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4655
knwatkins wrote:
Hi gents, thanks for that. I'll have a chat with Gary to see what gauge he has been using when he did his pressure tests a while back.
My oil pump has only 5k miles on it and was replaced for a new FoMoCo one when I had my Oval Autos rebuild done. So that would have been with all new lifters too. But what I'm wondering is - could I have a faulty lifter?
My plan was to remove the oil pressure sensor from the left hand head and simply screw in a pressure gauge in its place, as per the workshop manual, so I could check the oil pressure before I went down the route of removing the inlet manifold, cams etc. to replace all of the lifters in the left hand head (if I actually have the balls to do it that is ).
Concerning using a 5w40 oil, I have a DPF so I need to use the C1 grade oil. I'm not aware of any C1 oil in a 5w40 viscosity so I need to stick to the 5w30 C1.
OK so that should pretty much rule out any issue with the pump, though a pressure test would obviously be reassuring. Gary is our resident R&D man or "Q" as I like to think of him!
So if there's a tech mod, accessory, tool, upgrade or weapon, he'll very likely have a "dossier" on it in his laboratory.
note:(Guarded jealously by his faithful giant side kick, and ferocious canine friend code named "Candy" yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
7th Aug 2020 12:17 am
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
indeed he is.
You missed one thing off prof...he's also our resident bargain hunter too!
He's not been online for a few days, I hope he's alright...Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
8th Aug 2020 9:23 am
alex_pescaru
Member Since: 19 Dec 2010
Location: RO
Posts: 270
knwatkins wrote:
Concerning using a 5w40 oil, I have a DPF so I need to use the C1 grade oil. I'm not aware of any C1 oil in a 5w40 viscosity so I need to stick to the 5w30 C1.
I would switch to a C3, which has a much higher HTHS, for a better protection. Forget about fuel economy sh.t and think about reliability. Especially for a 2t+ car.
8th Aug 2020 1:41 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
C3 is not a low SAPS oil so it's not good for the DPF long-term.Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
8th Aug 2020 1:51 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4655
knwatkins wrote:
indeed he is.
You missed one thing off prof...he's also our resident bargain hunter too!
He's not been online for a few days, I hope he's alright...
I noticed that too a few days ago so I emailed him. He usually responds straight away but I have not yet heard back.
You're getting me worried now too, I don't have a phone number for him but I think Famer Chalk was able to get hold of him during the lockdown.
I might PM him and see if he can make contact.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
8th Aug 2020 2:32 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
I picked one of these up, unscrewed my oil pressure sensor but could I get the threaded adapter in it's place...could I heck.
On the 3.0, there appears to be a casting on the head which prevents getting a 21mm deep socket on to tighten it up
Any ideas chaps? Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
20th Aug 2020 10:31 pm
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 871
I don’t remember having a issue with it , like you say it could be the 3.0 is slightly differentMetal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
LR door puddle projectors (10 mins)
Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
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and post you findings here for appraisal 
