Mine's taken to sitting @ 60 PSI whether I'm at idle or at speed? Is this a problem? HPR30 was used at last change.

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Pearl - 1275 MG Metro Powered '65 Mini Deluxe

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I thought when driving it was supposed to drop as the oil thins as it gets hotter and therefore loosing pressure. I was made aware that higher at idle not higher whilst driving.

edit:

on another thought and extra information about my situation its drop down to 30ish after a while after the oil heats and thins

If the bearings are in really good condition with tight clearances the oil pressure could easily be 60 at idle. Some Mini's have the oil pressure relief valve set at 60 (my sister's Mini K did from new). When the oil is cold and thick the valve will divert excess oil back to the sump and stop it exceeding 60. When the oil warms and thins out up the pressure still stays at 60, the valve just diverts less oil. My GT used to have 60 at idle and 75 when running only because the valve was set at 75.

Penrite oil seems to maintain it viscosity really well, this could contribute to the pressure being higher than normal at idle. A good thing.

Pete

Low oil pressure can come from worn bearings (mains, big end, cam), worn oil pump or a sticking pressure relief valve (unfortunately rare as this is the only easy one to fix).

As long as you have some oil pressure at idle, 5-10psi, and more than 40 when running the motor won't be too bad. A max of 40psi normally means the bearings have wear and any high revs will only make it worse very quickly. Kind treatment will help the engine last.

Because Mini's share the engine oil with the gearbox you get small particles chipped off gear teeth and synchros mixing with the engine oil This goes through the oil pump before it gets to the filter and can decimate the pump if oil isn't changed regularly. The oil filter will save the breaings but if the oil filter gets clogged with gunk the oil will eventually bypass it and all the gunk goes through the bearings they will wear very quickly. Regular oil/filter changes will really extend the life of a Mini engine.

Pete

The Innocenti over here has different readings on the gauge,not like the Smith guage.

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They are the same basic movements though, with different stenciling for italian drivers. They should read the same comparitively.

I think a special gauge the italians use is the "How hot am I" gauge.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

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I drop to to 30-40 after she's been running for a while especially motorway driving. is that normal for a rebuild with not much usage since the build?

It should have more than that, unless you are talking at idle.
If that's all it has at speed and engine is fresh, maybe the relief valve is sticking.
I don't use them anymore, instead I cut 4mm off the spring and replace the valve with a 9/16" steel ball. I put a piece of 5/16" dia steel rod 40mm long inside the spring, so it doesn't bend and unseat the ball.
This mod dramatically inproves the pressure at idle- the ball seats properly, where the original valves never do.

<edit> I pack the spring if needed to give me a max of 65-70psi, hot.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

nah wasn't talking idle....I'll double check it again after a oil change and see how I go. If not I migght ave to get it looked at. Cheers for the heads up Kev.

Been meaning to write this up since last Thursday night. I noticed a drop in pressure especially on Sunday on the cruise whether i was doing 60/80/100 oil pressure ranged between 15-40 but averaged out around 20 and dropped down to like 10ish at idle. I know the bearings are brand new(mains/big end/cam), NFI about the pump and the pressure valve is brand spanking. By what I've read or rather taken it to mean my engine running like a dog with those pressures at idle and under load.


WORRIED....

i had this recently... thank goodnes...

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how do I check if its sticking??? or is there anything I can check myself without having to take it somewhere to be looked at?