Oil pressure problems

[Macc]

Reported elsewhere but I thought I would start a new thread here detailing the problem, various attempts at a fix and the solution itself.

Started shortly after I got the car back from the garage having all manner of work done. Oil pressure warning light and buzzer, but only when engine was up to temp, then only after about 20 minutes of driving and initially only between 2000 and 3000 rpm (after a while it would happen anywhere under 3000, the warning went away if revved over 3000)
James Butler and I scratched our heads over this for ages and heres the things that DIDNT work and were not at fault;

Oil pressure sensors
Any and all electrical/earth wires/connectors
Oil

It was only after I received my second oil pressure test kit that the actual issue raised its head (the first one reported 2.5 bar at 2k rpm hot and cold until the head of it flew off)

Pressure now read 1 bar at hot, so revved it up to 3000 and it hit 2.5 bar, that now made sense!

Went over to James's yesterday, stopping off at eurocarparts near Tamworth and bought a new oil pump as we intended taking the old one out anyway to see if there was any crap in it that needed cleaning out, turned out there was, in fact, turned out that was the problem!

Incidentally, if ordering a new oil pump from these, bear in mind they do not come with the plastic baffle, so take care when removing the old one as the plastic can be very brittle!

[james butler]

Good pictures Andy, you can really see them score marks in the housings.

[Macc]

Its obvious from those that theres a problem, the gear left inside is supposed to come out as well but try as we might we could not budge it! The first gear wasnt a walk in the park to get free either! Check the scorching on the shaft!