hi

my brother has a mk4 escort rs turbo, the engine was rebuilt 3000 miles ago and has started rattleling which sounds like its coming from the head (it had new ford cam and tappets).
oil pressure gauge readings seem all over the place, from start up it reads 40lbs then goes to 55lbs when reved.
warm idle is 35lbs and when driving 35lbs but when it gets to hot idle its 15lbs.

what could be causing these strange readings?

any help would be great
cheers
mark

 

that seems to be normal.
as the oil gets hotter it goes thinner and thusly pressure drops a bit.
what oil are you using? as the hot pressure seems a little too low IMO.

 

hi mate

its running mobil1 15w 50

mark

 

15psi at hot idle is acceptable and see plenty of cvh's with oil pressure that low tbh, wouldn't want it any lower though. Oil temps do get pretty high on rst's, and are renowned for low oil pressure. Regarding the rattling, i'd whip the rocker cover off and have a look at the cam/lifters as it's not impossible to chew up a cam or possibly a lifter in 3000 miles.

 

them readings are almost exact to mine tbh and i have no issues with mine at the min touch wood although ive probs jus jinxed myself lol

 

Should be about 14psi at idle, and 45psi at 3000rpm after at least a 30min drive using boost regularly.

 

mines 60psi when is cold
45psi when oil temp is 50 degrees
20-25 psi when oil temp is 90 degrees
10-60 Motul oil and a mocal 13 row oil cooler

 

mines around 60 to 65 at start up

after warming drops to around 15 to 20 psi

seems to work out at around 1000 X revs ie 25 at 2500 cruising and 40 psi at 4000 revs ish

 

Hope you guys can help. My engine is fully rebuilt, all clearances where checked and perfect, new cam, all galleries cleaned out well, oil pump primed.
It had 10 : 40 mineral oil for running in.

On start up it has 70psi on idle
When warm it has 20psi
But after a run and everything hot it drops to 5psi at lowest
Help please???

 

Sounds perfect until hot

Mine reads the same but when hot reads 20psi still but I'm using 10/60

 

Is the gauge you are using known to be accurate?

 

As far as I'm aware yes . Spoken to a few people who get pretty much the same readings with a new genuine oil pump on known good engines

 

I am using a race tech electronic sendor gauge. It reads accurate everywhere else I'm sure but I am going to check it against a mechanical gauge. It just seems to be dropping way to low on idle after a run, but then when u rev it the gauge goes well up, at 2000rpm it's at 30psi. There is no knocks or rattles of bottom end. Does anyone know why it's dropping so low? I am going to try using 15 / 50 oil. Does anyone think this will help?

 

What is is at 3000rpm after a good drive? That is crazy low, I'm assuming your oil light is on too?

 

Think it's up to about 45 or something, I have baught a mechanical gauge so gona try that along with 15/50. The dash oil light is not on but it doesn't come on when ignition is on when not started. I'm convinced the engine is perfect as rebuilt and all clearances checked with plastic gauge stuff. Oil pressure seems fine with revs and good when cold so surly not oil pump problem??? Any advice would be great

 

Also Karlos I know this is off the subject but I can't get an answer anywhere.

I have built my cvh from a tuners spec

Standard compression wossner pistons
Pec rods
Ported head with newmans cam and solid lifters
It is gona be running a gt28 turbo I think and stand alone managment

Now I am told I will achieve 260bhp easily.

Is this true with standard compression ratio???

 

It's very strange that the pressure is ok at 3000rpm but not at idle, unless your idling at something really low like 500rpm?! Cold oil pressure means almost nothing.
Assuming you have the correct spec GT28 yes.