hello all, yesterday i gave my exxey a good clear out on the bypass. i drove doing about 85mph for about 2 minutes, temp was in the middle of the 1/4 and 1/2 marks, oil pressure showing about 1/2.

When i exited the bypass i let off the power and used my gears to slow down. when i came to a stop though the oil pressure fell and the oil warning light came on so i pulled onto the kerb but just as i reached for the key the oil pressure came back and settled just below 1/4 at idle. i let it run for a short while before i turned it off to circulate the oil a bit then let it cool for 5 mins. it started fine showing a stable oil pressure of just under 1/4 at idle and half way between 1/4 and 1/2.

car is just about to hit 60,000 genuine and does have an oil leak that leaves the block slightly wet but ive looked loads of times to find the leak but cant see it.

there is no tapping or funny noises and it didnt drip anything on the floor after its hissy fit. oh and the car is an 81 1500 (pgw 928w if anyone has any info about her?????)

cheers
phil

Classic oil surge - the pool of oil in the sump moved away from the pickup thanks to the act of cornering and braking. The answer is to make sure you have more oil in the sump. You might have a slight blockage in one of the return paths from the head so oil doesn't drain back down as readily as normal.

I had an MkII Escort that did this every time I hit the brakes regardless of the oil level...

Oil leak will almost certainly be from the cam cover gasket or the thin paper gasket between the head and the cam carrier. Both are notorious sources of leaking oil. On a modern engine you'd just use instant silicone gasket instead or as well as...

hi jimbro, it hasn't done it since but the oil pressure is running lower than before. is it probably the gauge playing up? I did change the cam box and cover gaskets not long ago but ill pull the and sack some silicone in as well.

Cheers phil