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[billy no mates]

Could be the start of something bad, was driving home today (about 150 miles) and noticed that with the hot weather the oil pressure light is now flickering at idle. Rushed to Halfrauds to replace the oil with some 15/40 but after a short run the light is still flickering. 

I am going to get a pressure switch of eBay and see if it cures it ?
Or jam the pedal to increase the tickover ?

The million doillar question's are........ how robust are the oil pumps on the V6 ?  :-/, if it goes that far how easy to change the oil pump ?  :-/


Its a 2002 with 'only 92,000 miles. 

[doog]

Hello billy no mates  and hello from Stirling 

I have never heard of an oil pump failure on a v6  i talked about changing mine as i am about to do an engine swap and had planned to fit a new one withthe new engine  but i got funny looks from everyone i mentioned it to so from what i can gather there pretty robust items, that said there are loads of people on here who will know better than me and will be able to advise you better than i can.

 Doug

[LFF64]

I had this a while back too , I changed the oil etc but still had the same problem now and again .
I replaced the pressure switch and its been fine ever since , a new switch is not too expensive either I think under £10 but not sure .
It sits low down on the front of the engine I managed to get mine of reaching down from above ,best done with sump drained off oil  not after you have just refilled with new oil   

[markey mark]

take sump off and check pick up pipe give the strainer a good clean and the inside of sump refit fresh oil 10/40 gen vx oil and should stop it !

[feeutfo]

oil pressure test with a gauge. Borrow from a mech as i did or buy one. Haynes should give the correct oil pressure. If the pressure is reading low you have an oil pressure problem, check strainer/oil pick up as said. If pressure is ok, then its the oil pressure switch. Hth

[Kevin Wood]

oil pressure test with a gauge. Borrow from a mech as i did or buy one. Haynes should give the correct oil pressure. If the pressure is reading low you have an oil pressure problem, check strainer/oil pick up as said. If pressure is ok, then its the oil pressure switch. Hth

Agreed. Well worth finding out if you really have low pressure before going any further. Any unusual noises form the engine? Lifters quietening down quickly after a start?

Kevin

[deviator]

Only time I have known a V6 oil pump to fail is when the filter is not fitted right. IE the filter is stuck in the engine and then the cap screwed on, but the plastic clips don't go into the hole and the filter crumples up.

This then allows the cr4p in the oil to get pushed around the engine scoring the inside of the oil pump (knackering it) and often blocks oil ways as well causing countless problems.

However not likely to have happened. I would start with the switch.

To change the oil pump (thinking veccy, so slightly different due to transverse/inverse  fitting). Cambelt offer time, sump off (so exhuast dropped as well). Crankshaft pulley off, PLEASE note recommended torque setting on this pulley is 250nm so make sure you have, thread lock, a good 1/2inch or 1inch drive torque wrench and a t26 socket to suit. I would also suggest you use a big pair of stilsons on the flat edges of the pulley and wedge it against the body (not pulley) of the water pump. CRACK THIS BEFORE REMOVING THE CAMBELT. That way if it slips and you do turn the engine, the valves are in the right place. On the veccy, the mount is down there and it makes accessing the bolts a nightmare, however omegas I think are easier.

If you need any help give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

[billy no mates]

If you need any help give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

Fitted new switch last weekend (£12 Motor Factors, £4.65 Vauxhall ) went for genuine part, have been running all week in the hot weather and it looks like problem solved.

thanks for all the info.