MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Oil pressure. Is this normal- or am I neurotic?

Drove to the MGA day today. A 170 mile round trip and the car ran well and didn't miss a beat (1600 Mk2 with standard set up).
I pushed the car relatively hard on the way home, and when I reached the quieter residential streets near home, I noticed that cruising at 30 mph, my oil pressure was down to about 45 psi. I know that's well within the listed spec. but I can't ever remember seeing it that low. Under increased revs (2500) the reading immediately increased to 60 psi. The oil level hasn't dropped.

Should I see a mechanic or a psychiatrist?

Thanks, Graham
Graham V

Graham,
What was pressure at idle when you notice this, has it changed from previous?
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

I would think that you are OK with a reading of 45 lbs. after a run with hot oil in the engine. How many miles on the oil? It might be that its time for an oil change. 60 lbs. at 2500 (hot) is perfectly acceptable. IMHO, me thinks you are overthinking it.

... CR
C.R. Tyrell

Thanks Mike and CR.

I changed the oil in December last year and it has only done about 500 miles since then. I used Comma X-Flow MOT 20W50 mineral oil. In fact it appears from the history that the engine was rebuilt by Ivor Searle in 2007 and has done only about 5000 miles since then.
The pressure at idle was certainly over 40, I would have got really disturbed if it was below that. The thing is, for various reasons I won't bore you with, I haven't been able to do may runs of that sort of distance, so it may be normal behaviour. My average trip is never more than say 15 miles, as you can see from the mileages above.

Thanks, Graham
Graham V

Looks absolutely normal to me. Exactly the sort of readings I get when thoroughly warmed up.

Only difference is I use semi synthetic.

Steve
Steve Gyles

It's strange Graham because as we neared home yesterday evening after MGA Day I noticed exactly the same thing.

Whe we came off the A1 I saw my oil pressure had dropped to around 40ps1 at 2000 rpm.
it normally runs at about 55.
it came up to 50 or so when I revved it and so I have ignored it.
I use semi synthetic too and I think that does reduce the pressure a little.

Must be an MGA Day thing!😊

Great to meet you there

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Idling at 900(+/-) RPM with hot oil, 40 psi is normal for an engine in good condition. No sweat.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks very much for the reassurance. Good to know I am neurotic!
Graham
Graham V

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2016 and 15/08/2016

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.