Oil pressure Gauge - and other bits!!

M

maserati300

Junior Member
Messages
78
Morning chaps,

had the 4200 about 3 months now. Noticed that the Oil pressure gauge is a bit erratic at times. wanted to know how accurate these gauges are on the 4200. Most of the time the needle is at 5bar. However once I've been driving around for a couple of hours I've noticed the gauge drops to around the 2.5bar level. No noticeable difference in how the car feels and drives. Just not sure if it's a design fault with the 4200 gauges or whether i should get it checked out?

Also have had the odd flicker of a red light show on the dash but it happens so quick im not sure whether i imagined it or not!?!?!?! it's happened twice....wondering if that's the sign of the F1 Relay on it's way out or heaven forbid - the actual bloody fuel pump!

Lastly - has anyone had their software for the gearbox/suspension settings updated and if so is this only available at dealership or can it be done at good indie's? any ideas of price to get done?

Thanks
 
chippiepilot

chippiepilot

Junior Member
Messages
437
re oil pressure gauge, in my 3200 I had a very similar thing happen and it turned out to be a faulty gauge - I read somewhere on the "otherside" (with regard to the 3200) that they tend to last a couple of years then need replaced - dont know if that is totally true though it may well be the problem with yours
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,631
Hi, the oil pressure gauges to tend to pack up around the 3-5 year mark. From memory, you should have a cold idle of 5 bar, dropping to 2.5 when hot, and above 1800/2000 rpm it should be hard over on the 5 bar.

If you have a 'dancing needle' this indicates electrical failure or failure inside the pressure sensor itself. First step is to have the pressure sender replace immediately.

Its about £70 or so for the part and can be changed without removing the plenum, but its tricky. I would get an indie to do it, should take about an hour, total bill no more than £150.

If that does not remedy it, the you may need to look deeper, but suspect this will sort your problem.

The red light on your dash will be the oil warning light, that is tripped by the suspected faulty oil gauge. If the F1 relay is on its way, listen for a 5 second whirring of the pump priming when you unlock the car and open the drivers door. Any longer and yes, you could have an issue with your pump. If its in for the oil pressure sender, just get it changed, its a tenner or so. Search on here for the alternate part number as I think a genuine one is silly money.

Re software, all cars should be running up to date software if they have been dealer service over the past 3 years of so. If not just ask your indie, or main dealer as if they have the correct SD2/3 then this is a simple procedure and should be done as part of a service. I cant see any indie not having an SD2/3 as its impossible to work on these cars without one.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Just had my engine pressure sender changed because I had very similar indications. Problem solved.
 
M

maserati300

Junior Member
Messages
78
Conaero - Needle doesn't dance but when hot does drop to 2-2.5bar. cold idle is always 5 bar thankfully. The pump whirs for the stated 5 secs wheni open the door so that's probably ok.

Thanks all for you comments - will get the car checked out and see if the gauge is faulty. fingers crossed
 
Emtee

Emtee

New Member
Messages
8,446
Hi Maserati300,

The above comments are correct. 5 bar at cold idle and 2.5 bar at warm idle. The needle should return swiftly to full 5 bar under load. A certain amount of lea-way around 2.5 bar is okay; more usually on the lower side and if within half a bar then there's no need to be concerned. If I recall correctly the oil pressure lamp is triggered at 1.25 bar and it will, under specific circumstances, come on. If the oil gets stinking hot then this type of oil becomes like tap water and so the pressure drops. A typical example would be after a long motorway journey followed by start / stop town driving - the oil is very hot, but there's no longer the airflow to cool it. This is mentioned in the owners manual and should not alarm you. As Matt mentions, if the needle is dancing, then this would point to a dodgy sender, which isn't uncommon, but from your post above, you don't seem to have any erratic behaviour. No harm in getting it checked, but it doesn't sound to be out of the ordinary.

Oh, just with regard to there being no discernible difference in the car between 5 bar cold idle and 2.5 bar warm idle, then the only difference I've come to notice is the sound of the engine. I always let mine warm a little before driving it, and I know when the oil is warm as the sound of the engine changes - it becomes quieter and takes on a 'smoother' tone.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Emtee said:
Hi Maserati300,

The above comments are correct. 5 bar at cold idle and 2.5 bar at warm idle. The needle should return swiftly to full 5 bar under load. A certain amount of lea-way around 2.5 bar is okay; more usually on the lower side and if within half a bar then there's no need to be concerned. If I recall correctly the oil pressure lamp is triggered at 1.25 bar and it will, under specific circumstances, come on. If the oil gets stinking hot then this type of oil becomes like tap water and so the pressure drops. A typical example would be after a long motorway journey followed by start / stop town driving - the oil is very hot, but there's no longer the airflow to cool it. This is mentioned in the owners manual and should not alarm you. As Matt mentions, if the needle is dancing, then this would point to a dodgy sender, which isn't uncommon, but from your post above, you don't seem to have any erratic behaviour. No harm in getting it checked, but it doesn't sound to be out of the ordinary.

Oh, just with regard to there being no discernible difference in the car between 5 bar cold idle and 2.5 bar warm idle, then the only difference I've come to notice is the sound of the engine. I always let mine warm a little before driving it, and I know when the oil is warm as the sound of the engine changes - it becomes quieter and takes on a 'smoother' tone.
Click to expand...

This just about covers it M300, and Miles (Emtee) is our resident oil pressure/lubrication expert. Just don't ask how why he knows so much about it!!
 
M

maserati300

Junior Member
Messages
78
Emtee - thanks for that.....little bit more re-assured now!

BennyD - I wont ask why he knows - just glad he knows!!!
 
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