Update: MC engine - low oil pressure

[Marc Swanson]

A few more thoughts on this..

> I had thought of this as well, but another friend said that as soon as the
> air was out of the cooler lines and cooler, that it would create a sealed
> hydraulic circuit and that there shouldn't be a signifigant drop in the
> pressure.

I'm not a hydraulic engineer so I can't claim to have any knowledge on
the subject.. but assuming your friend's statement is correct then
perhaps you have air in your lines?  I think since your oil cooler is
above the sump you are basically relying on the anti-drainback valve in
the oil filter to prevent oil from draining out of the cooler.. and
creating a big air pocket.

Do you notice any up-down fluctuations in your oil level by checking it
a minute or so after a run and then after it has cooled down?

> Setrab confirmed that there'd be only a few psi drop going across
> their cooler.

I can confirm that you shouldn't see a big pressure drop because of the
oil cooler.  I believe I'm running the same oil cooler as you and I
never see an oil pressure level less than 20psi when idling hot.

Here is how it is set up on my car:

http://www.mswanson.com/phpix/?mode=album&album=Audi%2F4ktq%2Foil_cooler


In any event, try bypassing the cooler with a loop or some caps or
whatever and see if it makes any difference.



Later


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Marc Swanson, Software Engineer
Sonitrol Communications Corp.
Hartford, CT

Email: mswanson at sonitrol.net
Phone: (860) 616-7036
Pager: (860) 948-6713
 Cell: (603) 512-1267
  Fax: (860) 616-7589
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