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Engine Knock and low oil pressure problem

Last post 06-30-2009, 9:23 PM by lexun. 2 replies.
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  •  06-26-2009, 8:33 PM 19946

    Engine Knock and low oil pressure problem

    Dear Techs,
     
    I am a new owner of my first MGB 1969.  I have it for about 3 years.  It has a supposibly newly rebuilt motor which runs strong. I have read all posts, but cannot find the answer I need.
     
    The problem:  While idling and at a stop I noticed the oil light would come on and it would want to stall until completely warmed up. The previous owner was not running 20W50.  He was running a 10W40. Another thing is that the emission parts are all stripped off. The motor has and oil cooler and oil filter adapter.  Maybe one of these things are increasing engine pressure and creating low oil pressure? 
     
    Last summer we took it for our yearly short drive around town and it was running well.  We stopped at a store for a few moments and parked it.  When I came out and started it I heard a knocking and noticed very low oil pressure so I immediately shut it off, looked under the car for oil, and checked the amount of oil in the crankcase.  All were well. Sheepishly, I started it again and babied it home (a couple of blocks).  On the drive home I noticed the knock was louder at higher RPMS and almost no knock at low rpms and at idle.    I suspect the oil pressure relief valve or oil pump and worst case a spun bearing.  I am wondering what to check first?  I am wondering why this occured after it was parked rather then while driving it?
     
    I have so far checked the guage and it works.  While checking the guage I noticed fuel shooting out of the pipe located on the float chamber for the SUs.  Can you please give me guidance on a fix for this as well?
     
    Thank you
     
    P.S.  My apologies to the Auston Healey Folks.  I finally found my home in the MGB forum.
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  •  06-30-2009, 8:31 AM 19992 in reply to 19946

    Re: Engine Knock and low oil pressure problem

    lexun,

    The oil cooler and adaptor, if installed correctly, will not be the cause of low oil pressure. Though warmer temperatures make 20W50 a good idea, 10W40 oil is also not likely your problem. In forty years of this work, I've yet to see a stuck oil pressure relief valve in any but a weathered old rusted block, but if some kind of crud got in there I suppose it could happen. I wonder about the experience level of the previous rebuilder. There are a couple of "rookie" mistakes that can cause low pressure like this.

    Improper placement of the gasket sealing the oil pump body to the block can do it. So can a faulty or out-of-spec oil pump not replaced to save a buck. (bad idea) No matter what, if this noise is now present, you have likely damaged the lower end of the engine. I'm not there to hear the noise, and that's always a handicap in diagnosis, but if the pressure is that low, and the rapping is "palpable", I'm fearful you have a bearing failure by now.

    Step one is to remove the oil sump and inspect the bearings/crankshaft. Get back to us with the results. We'll see what we can do.

    The fuel running out the carburetter float bowl overflow pipe simply means the float valve is stuck. If it hasn't been done in some time, you really should rebuild the carburetters. Check the throttle shaft bushings (not choke shaft) for sloppiness. If they are sloppy you will need to have them rebushed as well.


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  06-30-2009, 9:23 PM 20005 in reply to 19992

    Re: Engine Knock and low oil pressure problem

    motorbill66,

     

    Thank you kindly for the detailed advice.  I will check it out and post what I find.  If I can post pictures I will take some.

     

    Thank you again,

    Lexun