1.6 8v nightmare

[Grazer]

Well, I've had the Driver now for nearly 2 months, having changed over from Vauxhall's.
At this moment in time, I feel that this could be my first ever Lemon.   

Issue No.1

Having changed the front shocks as one of the units was leaking fluid, using OE parts, the suspension is stupidly stiff. I feel every slight bump in the road as if I had hardly any dampening at all.
The car is lowered -40mm, but it was never this hard before the change.

Issue No.2

After asking around a few places as to why the car seems to over-rev shortly after starting, I was satisfied to hear that most of the Pierberg carbs do this and it's fairly normal and will cease after a few minutes.
This is now not the case as I can can go on a long drive, 1hr+ and it still does it.
(Dodgy Pierberg carb syndrome perhaps??

Issue No.3

My oil warning buzzer and light keep going off even though there is enough oil in the engine.
It stops when I take the car out of gear or when I drop the clutch and rev the engine.
Could this be related to the gearbox fluid, not just the engine oil?

Any help with these matters would be greatly appreciated as it's making me think of getting rid of the car.

Thanks

[Leon R]

I don't think you would have a Gearbox oil pressure/temp sensor, but you definately do for your engine oil.

Don't want to worry you a lot, but its either the sensor, the wiring, or the oil pressure is low meaning your oil pump is not pumping enough. A blocked pick up strainer in the sump could cause this or your oil pump is dying and possibly causing you engine damage.

I would not advise to drive the car but there are three things you can do.

Check your oil pressure switches aren't leaking or look faulty and that the connections are secure. Trace the wiring back as far as you can checking for kinks, or bare copper exposed.

Try changing the sensor(s) as on my 16v they cost me £3 from GSF. You must replace them like for like, the original one once unscrewed has the bar pressure range imprinted where the thread is so you must buy the corresponding one.

Get the sump off and check your strainer, you will need a new rubber sump gasket and something to catch your engine oil, unless you plan on changing the oil

[Dolly]

my driver used to idle at 1800.. believe me yours in running sweet in comparision.. get a brand new weber best £200 youll ever spend.. oil light sounds like a pump but id try getting some fresh oil in it as this fixed one of bmws when the light used to flash.. mine old driver was also lowerd on standard shocks and that was rock solid to, must just be how standard shocks react to non standard heights?

[Grazer]

my driver used to idle at 1800.. believe me yours in running sweet in comparision..

Not having rev counter, I'd guess I'm around that figure, maybe more.

Leon, thanks for the advice.
Luckily, I'm off work for the next two weeks and will have to take a good look and see what the problem is.

[Dec]

my new driver has a weber carb and that runs pretty good

[Grazer]

I've looked into the Weber carb upgrade, but the engine gave up on me today. 

Oil decided to pour out of what looks like the oil temp/pressure sensor hole, all over the engine block causing a whole lot of smoke 

[Leon R]

Unlucky mate, did you hear any knocking or whining sounds when it happened? Engine could still be ok, check the oil level to see how much oil came out, it might not be that bad hopefully

[Grazer]

Just a follow up really.

After letting the engine get up to normal working temperature, I took it for a short spin to see if the oil light problem was still present.
After 5-10 mins I saw smoke coming from the rear of the car and from the bonnet vents.
Looking under the bonnet, this is what I found -

 



The smoke was caused by oil that had been leaking from the oil temp sensor.
Upon removal of the rubber cover on the sensor, oil was clearly present inside the cover.

Any ideas??

[Leon R]

I thought your engine had given up from what you said! Needs a new sensor. My 16v had a leaky one and unloaded oil just like yours has done. Cheap to buy, simple to change but don't tighten it too much.

[Grazer]

I thought it had too.
I guess it's not that serious then 

I just hope this was the cause of the light and buzzer show on the dash.