what is normal oil pressure for idle and wot? my dummy light keeps kicking on at complete RANDOM times, sometimes not all day, sometimes on all day. i hooked a gauge up to test and i got 60psi at wot, and 20-25psi at idle. i dont have any odd rattles or weird idle as i would IF the oil pressure had been super low. what pressure is the light supposed to come on at?

 

I think the light comes on at 2-3 PSI.
The MINIs can have pretty low oil pressure at idle when hot but still high enough to keep the light off.
Since yours appears to be intermittent and a gauge shows good pressure, I would suspect the sensor going bad or a loose wire connection. Try wiggling the wire at the pressure sender connector while someone else watches the light to see if moving the wire can cause the light to turn on. Otherwise, it might be worth just replacing the sender.

 

that low eh? id think if it was running at 2-3psi id have a rod through the block by now! im thinking ill just run a electronic gauge. i like to know what its doing.

 

I have had an electric oil pressure gauge on two Minis and it is scary how low the oil pressure can get some days when idling at a stop light, under 10 psi.

 

I reviewed a few previous threads on the subject.
Someone said the light is set for 3.5 PSI.
Another person referenced BWM numbers of 3-9 psi normal for hot idle.

 

okay thanks. im pretty sure that my light is just being stupid haha. i mean it stays on even at 6k. and im positive if i only had 3psi of oil pressure it would have came apart by now.

 

At 6k and 3psi it would certainly get damaged, but perhaps not fly apart. The first year the FSAE team I am on had a working car the oil pressure regulator got left out of the engine. Ran for an hour under all sorts of abuse before blowing up (camshaft snapped in half between 2 and 4, then chaos). I would imagine the pressure was quite low for that time.

Just a fun story I suppose...

 

I had the same issue. I do have a gauge in the car and it runs about 60psi WOT and 20psi at idle.

I resolved my issue. It turned out to be the wiring that is behind the starter. Part of that wiring is goes to the oil pressure sensor. I adjusted the wiring so it was not tight against the starter and the problem was gone.

Before finding this I went through another possible cause which was the plunger in the oil filter housing. Sometimes it can become sticky or break off causing the oil pressure light to flicker.

BTW, my car is a 2003 MCS.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

well. i checked with a gauge like i said and i had the same result as Mike, 60 at wot and around 20 at idle. so now when the light decides to come on a laugh at it. ordering a electric gauge today just to be cautious. any good places to mount a gauge?

 

Nate,
What year and model is your car?

 

its an '04 MCS MC40 with 80k on it

 

There are a few options for mounting an oil presssure gauge.

I used this kit with oil pressure and boost mounted at the Tach. I got mine from ProMini:
http://www.promini.com/product-exec/...arch_model/100

There is the Flexpod gauge mount from Craven Speed:
http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/...uge-Mount.html

There is the center console mount, such as this one from outmotoring:
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...th-gauges.html
This one comes with guages but I have seen just the panel for sale.

There is a vent mount, such as this one from outmotoring:
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...gauge-kit.html

 

You probably just have a bad oil pressure sender, change it out and see if your problem doesn't go away. I agree with having an actual gauge tho - smart!

 

thanks for all the help! i just ordered a prosport electronic gauge. hope it gets here real soon!