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MG MG Y Type - oil pressure gauge

I'm hoping there is a simple explanation and answer to my current problem. The oil pressure gauge seems to refuse to return to zero and will not drop below 25. I have struggled under the dash and removed the pipe and tried to blast a little air in the gauge, it did drop to zero, but after starting the car again it stays on 25. Any suggestions please.
mike burden

Possibly you have a samll piece of crud in the pipe that is not letting the oil fall back.

Remove the pipe from the lower block connection (where it Ys with one pipe going up to the upper gallery and to the dashboard) and from the upper connection too) and then blow the pipe. It may be the rubber connection hose that goes through the bulkhead is perished inside and collapsing in its capillary too. If this is the case it wont be long before the hose becomes pourous and will drip hot oil on your leg. Be sure to replace it with a similar small bore piece of hose though.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul. That was my first thought, (blockage) but when I disconnected the pipe from the rear of the gauge there was no movement, only when a shot of air was sent through the gauge did it return to zero. Am I correct in assuming my next step is to remove the unit from the car completely? To allow a decent clean in penetrating fluid??
mike burden

There are two issues really here - cause and result.

I would suggest that if the rubber tube is "squishy" rather than "firm but flexible" then your tube is shot and should be replaced with oil grade tube - otherwise, the same thing will happen again until either you get nice hot oil on your knee or carpets! Disconnect the oil feed pipes from both ends of the block beofre blowing them back to flush them before refitting with the new tube.

Secondly, yes you will need to remove the instrument and get it cleaned and checked. As they are reasonably delicate I wouldnt suggest blasting it with too high a pressure of air. If you have a graduated regulator valve on your air-line then OK otherwise, I would suggest getting one (they are pretty cheap). I dont think penetrating oil will help you much though. Once you have your regulator valve you can slowly increase the air pressure and compare readings/fluctuations.

I am no guage mechanic, so use caution and if that doesnt work then send the unit off to someone who is qualified. Mark your unit with some sort of scratch on the back though before you send it away and tell the mechanic that you want YOUR UNIT REPAIRED and not an exchange one that "works". I do not know a reputable repairer in Australia, but I am sure someone will pop up - either on the board or at your local MG Club - to recommend one.

Good luck

Paul
Paul Barrow

After a struggle upside down I have managed to remove the gauge from the cluster without removing the dash, the unit simply would not return to zero, after a small shot of fine lubricant was inserted in the access where the needle pivots and from the rear with a blast of air the gauge freed itself, perfect i thought. Put it all back, started the car, no oil pressure at all, or very little!! I then removed the tube from the motor and inserted into bowl of water, put 30lbs of air into it, hardly a bubble, then slowly a balloon of oil appeared and whoosh all clear. Refitted and now good as gold. Thanks for all advice.
mike burden

Mike

Most definitely a plug. Now you have to ask where that came from. My money is on the rubber flexible pipe!

Paul
Paul Barrow

I replaced the pipe just to be sure, although it was only fitted 2 years ago. Fingers crossed
mike burden

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2008 and 08/10/2008

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