Q: What should the oil pressure reading be?

A: Oil pressure, measured at 90 C of oil temperature, should be 0.4-0.5 Kg/cm2 (more than 5.71 psi) at 800 revs and 4-5 Kg/cm2 (over 57 psi) at 4500 revs.
- Andrea -

Q: The oil pressure on my red coupé is still low. I just changed oil, filter and oil pressure sender. Oil is now Pennrite HPR20W60 instead of the regular 15W40 I used before. The oil pressure meter is just a bit higher. At idle it used to be at zero, now it is a needle thickness off zero. Probably more due the 20W60 than the new sender. Also at high rpm it does not get over 40-45.
Huib, huib@viva-lancia.com

A: A good Fulvia engine must show max or near max pressure at high revs. This for example applies to all four Fulvias I have. Unless you have the oil pressure relief valve stuck open (an unlikely possibility but I always clean it when doing engine work just in case it has a problem).
- Andrea -

Q: Where is the oil pressure relief valve?

A: At the base of the oil filter, opposite the pressure sensor, you see a cylindrical part which can be undone with a large spanner. Inside there is a circlip which once removed allows extraction of the spring and plunger. Careful that the spring is a powerful one and the assembly has the tendency to fly off as soon as the circlip is removed.
- Andrea -

Q: What would be the sign to take action.

A:

1) Further fall in oil pressure;

2) ticking noise when suddenly removing the accelerator from 3000 revs;

3) low pitch rumble when accelerating.

However, beware that I know people who had sudden engine seizure in a comparable situation. Be prepared to switch off the engine quickly. If you are really worried, do what I have done to my white coupe: take the sump off, remove the oil strainer and after undoing the conrod caps examine the big end bearing for sign of wear. If you embark on this course of action, tell me first because there are a number of useful tips I can give you to save you time and hassle.
- Andrea -