fitting mechanical oil pressure gauge.
Turbo Mini Forums

hi, i plan on fitting a mechanical oil pressure gauge to my mpi cooper

have the fixings, was wondering if the pipe has to be primed with oil prior to connecting. cant think of a decent wat to do this without making a mess.

have heard of people connecting the parts up, but leaving air in the pipe

surely this will give the wrong reading?

Interesting, I was having the very same though the other day, just have not got to fitting the gauge yet. Perhaps the air will work its own way out!

i have heard once of this been done, fire up the engine and slack off the oil pressure feed pipe on the back of the dial, then nip it up when oil just comes out is the method id use if i could be bothered, but with all 3 of my engines i never bothered to bleed the air out

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Do as Brett says.

Slacken off the union at the gauge with the engine running, then when its dribbling clear with no air, just nip it up.

You'll get about an eggcup full, and no, it won't piss out everywhere, it just dribbles, especially if the engine is cold.

You'll need a rag, obviously.

And I would avoid the clear plastic pipe type oil pipe from the block to the gauge - copper is available from Halfords or Minispares or as a minimum, use the pukka black Smiths ouil pipe. Stainless flexi pipes are the best.

Had one of the plastic pipes blow off at full chat once due to it splitting and I lost about a gallon of oil from the block as it went all around the engine bay on a 998 clubby I built. Pissed me right off as I didnt see it until the oil light came on !

Good luck.

Richard.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
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