Indy 4900 Oil Pressure problem | FerrariChat

Indy 4900 Oil Pressure problem

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by Bisgaard, Apr 3, 2018.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Bisgaard

    Bisgaard Rookie

    Feb 14, 2015
    31
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Oluf Bisgaard
    Hi there
    I have a problem with oil pressure on my 1972 4900 Indy. The oil pressure has always been low, but I guess the flow is OK. That seems to be normal, according to the threads in here.
    But now the oil lamp is sometimes blinking. I hope it is not the oil pump. Is there any special known problems with that?
    I have the manual, but I believe it is very difficult to see how the oil pump is working. Is it correct, that it is driven direct from the crank inside the engine?

    First I want to change filters and oil an extra time, I guess that is the first thing to do.

    What make and type of oil filter are You using?
    What oil type? Amount incl filter?

    Any other suggestions, that I could try?

    Thank You guys, in advance. :)
     
  2. DWR46

    DWR46 Formula 3
    Honorary

    Jun 19, 2012
    1,810
    Step #1: Adapt a mechanical gauge into the line where the pressure sender fits into the block. The electrical gauges are notorious for inconsistent readings. This is the ONLY way you can determine what is going on. I would bet your engine is OK.
     
    Bisgaard likes this.
  3. vlasic ludovic

    vlasic ludovic Karting

    Apr 13, 2015
    60
    Nice France
    Full Name:
    Vlasic ludovic
    +1 , did you engine runing up to 850/900 rpm ? sometime under this value, you could have a low pressure !
    The oil pump is quite solid ! i have seen different oil (sae 50 / 20W50 / 0W60) with the same result, when engine is cold you should read 7Kg, when hot 1.5 Kg at 900rpm.
    An oil pressure failure could be due to engine failure (as bearing failure), but you'll surely recognize the noise.

    Hope it will help you.
     
    Bisgaard likes this.
  4. Bisgaard

    Bisgaard Rookie

    Feb 14, 2015
    31
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Oluf Bisgaard
    Thanks guys, for Your replies.
    As You expected, there was nothing wrong with the oil pressure. I changed the oil to new 20W50 classic and now everything is fine.
    I will now put the car together again soon, so I can enjoy it this summer.
     
  5. Froggie

    Froggie Formula Junior

    Sep 27, 2017
    476
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Serge
    Usually engines of classic cars with internals that were less precisely machined than today like to run with rather thick mineral oil (20W50) and preferably classic oils that are enriched in ZDDP.

    On my Indy 4900, the shop specialised on classic Italian cars who restored the car put a synthetic 10W60 Selena oil.
    As I was concerned about putting a synth low viscosity and detergent oil, they assured me that they did that on all Maserati V8's of the period, after a careful flush of the previous oil and a second refill after having run the engine for some time to remove any loose sludge.

    It seems that the tolerance machinings inside this V8 are well fit to a modern synth oil and that seals accept synth oil.
    Actually, I have not read abnormally low oil pressure on the dashboard gauge, nor seen any leak underneath sofar or any oil smoke in the exhaust.
    I will still have to check what is the oil consumption of this engine when I will have driven the car for a few hundred kms
     
    71Satisfaction likes this.

Share This Page