Did you change the oil and filter after the car sat? It could be some
sludge clogging the filter. I'd give that a try first. If that doesn't
work your oil pickup screen may be partially blocked. I was once told you
could clean up an engine internally by adding a quart of kerosene (paraffin
in the UK) to your oil, run the engine for a half hour or so, then change
your oil and filter. The kerosene will break up a lot of the sludge and
varnishes. I've never tried this, but I was told it worked great by an old
mechanic.
Good Luck,
Ken
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of Gary Davis
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 9:56 AM
To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Where did my oil pressure go?
I've been on the list for a couple of years but have been lurking for the
past several months. I parked my 70 GT last summer while working out the
kinks in my son's first car (not an MG - an 86 Saab 900). A couple of weeks
ago, I learned that my two teenaged sons tried to start the car while I was
away. They were unsuccessful and killed the year-old battery. Neither one
will admit who did it and what happened so I don't have the whole story.
I jumped it this weekend and drove it a couple of miles to the station to
put some air in the tires. As I was returning home, I noticed that the oil
pressure gauge was reading 40-45 when driving but dropped to zero at idle.
I hit the accelerator and it returns to 40. When I parked the car last
summer, oil pressure was about 70 when driving and about 50 when idling.
Now after I turn the engine off, I hear a relatively loud dripping noise in
the engine that I hadn't noticed before. The car drives fine and the engine
sounds normal except for that dripping noise.
So what's going on with the oil pressure? How bad can it be? I'm not a
seasoned mechanic so don't take anything for granted in your reply. I would
really appreciate some help with this.
Thanks in advance.
Gary Davis
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