1.6 Hdi Oil Pressure Monitoring

[Smerflet]

Hi all,

 

Recently experienced total blockage of the oil pick-up strainer on my 57 reg 1.6 HDi C5 Estate and received the usual STOP warning. Of course this happened right in the wilds of Scotland!

 

The first indication I got of reducing oil pressure was a noisy engine top end which I'd put down to the cam timing chain tensioner wearing-out. However, now that it's sorted - replaced the pick-up tube - the top end seems back to normal again.

 

My question is, has anyone implemented some form of oil pressure monitoring to pre-warn of this issue? I have seen a guy on YouTube measure pressure at the turbo oil feed point - easiest point to access - using an industrial gauge. However I wonder if this would stand the vibration in the longer term. Ideally I'd manifold a pressure transducer onto the M16 x 1.5 threaded pressure switch port, but I think that access is very restricted. Then again getting a compact transducer of sufficient robustness and a matching gauge, all at a reasonable price, feels like a tall order.

 

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

 

Stu

 

[paul.h]

It might be the oil pressure can be monitored through the diagnostic port using a code reader to see what the pressure switch is giving, unless it is just a pressure/no pressure value. However, looking on ebay it would not cost much to fit a gauge since a gauge and sender can be bought for around £20 but you might need some small diameter fittings if space is tight at the pressure switch area.

[Smerflet]

Thanks Paul. Close to a solution now at the engine end, but struggling to find a route for either tube or wire from the engine compartment into the vehicle. Any ideas on the best routing please?

 

Stu

[paul.h]

For wires, you could look at existing wiring routes through the bulk head. When I wired up our previous 2004 (mark 1) C5, I ran the wires from the battery and took them through the bulk head along the wiring loom from the engine fuse box. It was a bit of a squeeze but helps if a wire/rod can be pushed through from the passenger footwell end first to then pull the wires back. I also removed the windscreen scuttle so it was not an easy job overall. Others have run towbar wires under the car first.

[Smerflet]

Thanks Paul. Will investigate when I've rebuilt the engine!