I was going to fit an oil pressure guage to my Indy-Fireblade, is there an sender that will run off/ replace the current oil light switch ?
But then I thought this is more cost,therefore, the question is do I really need a oil pressure guage or just rely on the warning light.
quote:
Originally posted by LBMEFM
I was going to fit an oil pressure guage to my Indy-Fireblade, is there an sender that will run off/ replace the current oil light switch ?
But then I thought this is more cost,therefore, the question is do I really need a oil pressure guage or just rely on the warning light.
Hi.
An oil pressure gauge is very handy to monitor any minor oil pressure changes in the engine.
That said, The oil pressure warning light is just as efective. Just not to such a fine degree.
Either way. Low pressure reading/ Oil light on. Engine will still have to be stripped.
Ronnie 
I find on track my oil pressure starts to drop after a few hot laps, once it drops below 2 bar I come in. usually sits around 4-5 bar.
a pressure switch wont tell you that but in saying that I upgraded my switch to a 25psi switch so Id know sooner if there was a problem.
My son completely knacked the big ends on his Zetec Fiesta but the oil pressure warning light went off as normal. Garage said oil pressure switch doesn't really tell you anything musch. If I had a delicate high-revving engine I woud certainly fit a gauge
quote:
Originally posted by 2b_pablo
I find on track my oil pressure starts to drop after a few hot laps, once it drops below 2 bar I come in. usually sits around 4-5 bar.
quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
My son completely knacked the big ends on his Zetec Fiesta but the oil pressure warning light went off as normal. Garage said oil pressure switch doesn't really tell you anything musch. If I had a delicate high-revving engine I woud certainly fit a gauge
I have an oil pressure gauge - but I rarely have time to look at it while I'm driving. I mostly use it for occasional reassurance that things
are OK.
The oil warning light is my most important warning device - it's very bright, and gives the message "stop the engine NOW, or lose it!".
I've fitted a sensor that activates at a greater pressure than standard, so the engine's not on its last legs before I get an indication.
Personally, I'd fit both - one for diagnostics, the other for the 'stop now!' message.
I agree, Ronnie, it SHOULD tell you you don't have enough pressure. But the light behaved normally (went out) even after the big ends went and a
man with a hammer was playing the anvil chorus inside the engine when I would expect the remaining oil pressure to be very low
The answer obviously would be to fit a pressure switch that operates at a higher than normal pressure (and a gauge )
The mechanic (I use the term loosely) then told me he couldn't drop the sump to check as two of the bolts were inside the clutch bellhousing. So
I took it home and dropped the sump with no problem at all.
It was only after this that Ford told me that they don't sell bearing shells or recon crankshafts any more and that I had to buy a new engine
Progress eh ?
[Edited on 2/12/07 by Macbeast]
One flaw of the of the oil pressure switch is that the majority of them read the pressure measured at the main bearings. Although the oil gallery is
the full length of the crank. A small drop in pressure at the big end bearings will seldom register at the warning lamp.
In conclusion I think we must all agree that an oil pressure gauge is the best form of early engine wear detection.
I had the same malrkey with my Nephews Fiesta.
We both now belong to the same engine swappy club.
Ronnie
quote:
Originally posted by bonzoronnie
An oil pressure switch should at least indicate that you have sufficient oil pressure to protect your engine.
