[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]

Re: [T3] Oil Pressure Relief Valve Spring Length


On 16 Oct 2001, at 20:34, shackedup wrote:

> I got the unladen spring length measurement from the larger Clymer
> manual, "VW Squareback and Fastback 62-73".  I guess the longer spring
> was somehow giving me more pressure?  If the oil light is coming on
> briefly but regularily and the valve isn't sticking then am I right to
> assume it's oil pump or overhaul?

While this is not necessarily always true, it sounds like in your 
case the longer spring gave you more oil pressure. It really only 
depends on what the force is that is needed to compress the 
spring to the length necessary to get the piston down to the relief 
port in the case. I assume this is the loaded length given in the 
Bentley manual.

First you have to get a correct spring and try it. Because of all the 
"HD" ones out there, this can be difficult, but you should be able to 
do some kind of testing with a bathroom scale and a ruler. You 
might be able to get the help of a auto machine shop and test it on 
a valve spring tester, but these tend to be made for much stronger 
springs.

Then you have to fight the tendency to get overexcited over this 
light coming on occasionally. They ALL come on occasionally, but 
you have to consider WHEN they come on.

If it comes on when cornering then this just means that the oil 
sloshed to one side and the oil pickup tube sucked air for a 
moment. Nothing to worry about. Same for coming on during hard 
braking. 

Coming on during hard acceleration would be more of a problem 
because that's when the engine needs good oiling, but most of us 
can accelerate that well anyway.

If it flickers at idle when the engine is hot, then this is pretty 
normal, especially in an older engine with normal wear. It really 
isn't a problem either. Remember, NONE of us are as young as we 
used to be.  ;-)

If it comes on when you're just crusing down the road, then THAT 
is a real problem.  ;-O

-
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

-------------------------------------------------------------------
List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list or mailto:help@vwtype3.org


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]