oil pressure and leak problem
Turbo Mini Forums

Hiya chaps. Right my engine is in a runs like a beaut! Before firing her up I turned her over and was getting 100psi off the starter, so changed the spring back to the standard (was cooper s) and kept the ball bearing. Fired her up and got instant oil pressure. Once running all was good and once warm oil pressure was 40psi then rev'ed and it went to 60psi. The oil at this initial stage was 10-40w.

The following day I started her up again from cold and once fired it took around 5-8 seconds for oil pressure to show on my mechanical TIM gauge. So I bled the gauge and this made no difference. Checked the PRV and all is fine. Then I changed the oil and filter for some 20-50w and this made no difference. The car does run really well but when it is rev'ed the oil pressure drops 5-10psi then rises again.

I've now discovered that I've got an impressive leak from the clutch housing so I think the seal is fubar. This will be changed next weekend. What do you guys think about this oil pressure thing. I'm losing sleep racking my brains about it.

oil pressure sounds fine,

idle is often 20-30 psi warm and increases when reved I'd say 60 psi is ideal

also i wouldnrt worry about a few secs for the pressure to come up when cold.

I'm worring about the pressure drop when rev'ed now. I've read everything related to 'oil pressure' in the search feature and thinking about an engine strip down is needed.

ah i missed that bit,

the Balls can cause this sort of effect, apparently when they lift off the seat they "wibble" about, suposedly putting a length of rod inside the spring (to keep the spring straight) reduces this

Oh I didn't know that. I'll pop the plunger in tomorrow. :)

Adjust the oil pressure down from 100psi using the spring you got with the ball valve, it's a bit of trial & error. Shorten the spring a coil at a time until you get near to the pressure you want, then shorten it half a coil at a time etc until you achieve the desired pressure.

You'll have to grind off the coils, remember to wash off all metal filings/debris before you install the spring during any trials.

Mini Spares supply an 'improved' clutch oil seal 13H2934.

It's probably worth changing the primary gear bushes at the same time, worn bushes allow oil to pass along the crankshaft past the worn bushes, worn bushes will allow the primary gear to move in the oil seal so the seal will be ineffective.

Mini Spares supply a fully floating primary gear front bush & a rear top hat bush. The top hat bush will need machining after fitment.

Check the land on the primary gear where the clutch oil seal acts, if it's ridged/worn you'll need a new primary gear.

The primary gear is a minta. The engine has done 0miles and only ticking over on my drive. Gonna try the original plunger today so I'll repost later with my findings.

Yeah baby!!! Changed the cooper s ball back to a plunger and all is good. Oil pressure shows on my gauge within 3-5 seconds from cold, and instant from warm.
I'll do the seal saturday and then carry on with the rubbing down. Cheers for ya help.