Where can I tap for oil pressure?

[evilmiata]

I'm using a remote oil filter kit and installed my stock miata oil pressure sensor by the filter, but I'm not getting any oil pressure! I ran the car for ~3 minutes before I realized I might have a problem. Upon removal, the oil filter didn't appear to be full. Could the oil flow be that slow through the oil filter? If it matters, the remote lines are about 3 feet long and the filter is at about valvetrain height. The oil filter is a HP1.

[Joseph Upson]

I'm using a remote oil filter kit and installed my stock miata oil pressure sensor by the filter, but I'm not getting any oil pressure! I ran the car for ~3 minutes before I realized I might have a problem. Upon removal, the oil filter didn't appear to be full. Could the oil flow be that slow through the oil filter? If it matters, the remote lines are about 3 feet long and the filter is at about valvetrain height. The oil filter is a HP1.

Without pictures of what you have setup it's more difficult to assist. You should probably post non GM V6 related issues in the pushrod general section. If the mazda engine is similar in safety design to the V6 it is possible your oil filter is being bypassed altogether if there is enough resistance to oil flow through the system. The bypass is in place to avoid oil starvation in the event of a filter blockage.

[bszopi]

He has either a 3.4 Camaro or 3400 engine in the Miata (been a while since he's been around).

[Joseph Upson]

He has either a 3.4 Camaro or 3400 engine in the Miata (been a while since he's been around).

In that case it's probably by-passing the filter altogether at idle or the hoses are connected backwards if he has the type of relocation kit I have. The filter puts up a fight if you do that. I found out while fiddling around with a filter that it has a check valve that prevents reverse flow, at least the one I was using did.

[Alxsmt]

stupid question but this is something i wouldnt forget.. did u put the extra oil in to fill the extra space? i dont know if that would even cause it but its a thought.

btw do you have pics of your car/engine setup? i wanna see this thing!!!

[bszopi]

http://60degreev6.com/forum/f106/miata-with-3-4l-t25696

No pics, and the CarDomain links don't work. But it at least confirms that its a 3.4L iron head. And damn, I didn't realize how long its been since you first showed up - back in 2003!!! Glad to see you made it back over here.

[evilmiata]

Here's the old CarDomain link:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/487571

I relocated a three years ago and got caught up in life. First I pulled the v6 with the intention to give the motor more room by pushing the firewall back, narrowing the K member, and fabricating a transmission bracket. Unfortunately, I bought an RX8, turboed it, drove my real estate company into the ground, finished a graduate degree, and started a new career. During this time, the fuel injectors went bad and I kept tearing my hair out trying to troubleshoot everything.

Anyway, here are the pics:
You can see the oil pressure sensor on the return to the motor. I thought this was the correct method to get signal, but I can no longer tell you when or why I thought this.



Full engine bay shot. Please excuse the rats nest. I've been through literally every wire trying to troubleshoot stuff and need to re-loom everything. You can also see the ignition pack sitting on top of the cowl.

[Alxsmt]

sweet!!!! thats awsome!!

[geoffinbc]

I would also suspect you have the lines backwards.

If you look at the oil filter pad as a circle then the port closest to the edge of the circle is the outlet of the motor and inlet of the filter. The port near the center of the circle is the inlet of the motor and outlet of the filter. If the lines are backwards there is no need to panic the system will just bypass. You just wont be circulating any filtered oil.

[evilmiata]

^^^Thanks for the instructions. I confirmed that the engine outlet is running to the filter inlet and visa versa, but I'll try swapping the lines anyway just to be sure in the next few days.

Where do you guys normally get oil pressure? I remember that my motor had a 90* adaptor for the filter and it might have had some sensor bosses on it. Do the FWD motors have the same?

[bszopi]

On the newer FWD blocks at least, there is a sensor boss right next to the knock sensor for the oil pressure sensor.

[evilmiata]

On the newer FWD blocks at least, there is a sensor boss right next to the knock sensor for the oil pressure sensor.

Just to be clear, you mean a boss directly in the block. Correct?

[geoffinbc]

There is also a 1/8" NPT hole in the block on the oil filter mounting boss which will give you oil pressure. This is where the stock sensor goes or if it is not used it will be plugged.

[evilmiata]

Hey guys, I had a chance to mess with the car today. I used my air compressor to confirm that my sensors are working. There is oil flowing to the sensor, but either there isn't enough pressure or there is air in the line because the gauge is still showing 0psi. Where am I going wrong?

Also, shouldn't there be oil splashing around in the drive train? The valve covers and drive train feel dry when I feel around inside the oil fill port.

[1988GTU]

Make sure the oil pick up tube didnt drop off.