When i changed the oil this week i've noticed this attached to my (magnetic) sump plug, so the plug did it's job very well





I think it's a engine core plug, oil pressure is lower (2bar) on a cold engine (normally 4-4,5bar) and after 5 mins it's about 3,5bar.

Can this be related to the drop in oil pressure and which core could it be

 

STOP STOP STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the core plug holding the oil pressure relief valve and spring, amazing it hasn't gone bang, housing should have been indented around the plug to retain it.
tabetha

 

bloody hell i,m amazed this can happen !

 

So it's sump off and replace the oil pump, or is it possible to get a new plug in place

 

Whatever happens it is sump off, the plug shown can be bought on their own but just as easy make alloy one that is a snug fit, then just get some one put a few blobs of tig weld on there to ensure it doesn't come out.
tabetha

 

Damn Marco

 

You are so lucky mate to have that plug come out and as tab said its sump off 100% but i my self i would all so pop some of the caps off the crank and rods and have a look to see that all is well up there this photo shows which plug has come out

 

"you are so lucky"!!
typo alert methinks!!
The only other small plug that I can think of like that lives in the front of the block, capping off the end of the main oil gallery, the rear one has a pressed in steel ball bearing, sometimes these leak, I always knock these out and tap the block and put a proper "bung" in there.
Thinking about it there are 2 very small caps at the front covered by the auxilary/jack shaft seal housing, but of course these can't find there way into the sump.
tabetha

 

Thanks for the replies guys
Ok, lucky and unlucky i gues
How is it possible that there's still oil pressure, does it mean the valve and spring are still in place????
As i see it on the picture it should have come out, or is the 4x4 pump that different??



Maybe it's better to make a thread in place of welding it, any more info is welcome

 

I can only assume the plug is from there, is it possible some previous owner was careless and it's from elsewhere ?
I can only assume if it is indeed from the pump in there, that lucky for you the valve itself has jammed.
You can of course thread it and put a bolt etc in there, so long as it doesn't foul anything such as the pick up pipe.
tabetha

 

Engine is rebuild 3 years ago by a mate and me so unlikely, also oil pump is 3 years (30000km) old but not a original Cosworth one but a GGR one as the original pumps were unavailable at that time.
Think welding it back in place is a better idea.

 

Just checked with my old oil pump and it's 100% not the plug from the oil pressure relief valve and spring as it's to big (17mm)
It is though from the oil pump as seen in the pictures below, i think it's a return channel from the oil pressure valve

Oil pressure relief valve & spring plug:



The one missing me thinks:



So maybe i'm lucky being unlucky

 

I hadn't even noticed it was 4wd pump!!
Either way you've been lucky, bit worrying with pumps that do this after 3 years though!!
Think I'd do as you say and tack it in place just for peace of mind, glad I got a quality £24 pump for my 2wd
tabetha

 

Been to my mate yesterday who rebuild the engine and he reckons the channel goes to the splash lubricating pipe so got no/less cooling/lubrication to my conrods etc
So the sump will have to come off for sure to inspect and fix
What's the best/easiest route to take the 4x4 sump off??