New Engine Start up Question

[joeb1]

I am about to start up a new 4L engine. I have a question about oil pressure upon start up. Since it is a 96 and has the intergrated timing cover. How do you prime the oil pump? The factory manual says to just coat the gears with oil. (What? No jelly packing?)

I have gotten the recomendation to pull the plugs. Be sure your oil filter is full. And turn the engine over for ten to fifteen seconds until you can see oil at the top of the heads. With this method it seems like it would be hard to build up some rpm's to actually prime the system.

What is everybody's experience with this? Maybe I am just paranoid.

Also, I want to be sure all cooling hoses are routed the right way. Could some snap a pic of their engine bay so I can verify a things? Mine is a 96 5-speed. So some thing similar in year 96- 99 possibly. Thanks!

Joe

 

[Steve]

Joe - I've got a 4.0 in a D1 but its an automatic. If you need some photos, let me know.

 

[joeb1]

Sure... send me some pics of the passenger side if you have some.

Thanks again.....


Surely some of you guys who have started up a new engine can fill me in on this oil question????

 

[davidz]

the method you described will work fine to prime the system, just make sure your battery is fully charged. it will turn fast enough to prime the system.
i read the same thing about just coating the gears in oil, didnt sit well with me either so i packed the gear set in petroleum jelly, just because thats how ive always done it.

 

[joeb1]

David-

How long did it take for yours to prime? Did you check for oil at the rockers? Or just wait for the oil pressure light to go out? Maybe a guage would not be a bad idea either. It's too late to pack the thing now. I would have to take it apart again.

I was thinking of filling the oil cooler also. And anything else I could do to cut the time on initial start up. Any ideas on how much pressure the oil pump actually supplies?

Joe

 

[Steve]

See if this helps.

 

[joeb1]

Cool Steve-

Just what I needed. Thanks!


Joe

 

[davidz]

Joe, i spun it over till the light went out. took a few seconds, wasnt very long. if the light goes out your good to go. dont worry about a hand held gauge, not unless the light never goes out,
You will be fine, there is enough assembly grease on the bearings and cam to prevent damage on first start up. put the valve covers on and hit the key.
oil pressure, i need to look for that #, it was discussed on the board here within a day or so.

 

[agro1]

Oil pressure on the 4.0 should be around 26-28psi. I know this because my motor is getting yanked and a new short block is being installed. I've done some checking around to make sure my oil pump is in good shape before everything gets reassembled. Seems the #4 sleeve slipped

 

[beemer]

first start & every oil change

joeb1, to lower the dry time take the oil filter and fill it with oil before installing. That would be a good idea at every oil change. A pre-oiler would eliminate any dry starts even after oil changes as well as a pressure gauge. The oil light goes out at a very low pressure, you could be running 15 psi at highway speeds and think everythings good, then "Bang"...o&o>.

 

[joeb1]

No pressure yet...

After trying to get a few things done last night before the hurricane rains hit. I put a battery in. And turned it over for a minute. Then I would let it sit for a few minutes. And then hit it again for a minute. I tried this at least six more times. Still no oil is visible in the passenger side head. And the light is still on.

What other options do I have? This is a brand new engine and timing cover with oil pressure gauge, and relief valve.

Should the plugs be in or out? I was under the impression it does not matter. As long as they are not connected. The oil filter is full. Sump is full.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[davidz]

Joe, the motor will spin over alot faster and easier with the plugs out,
your freakin out, crank it up. lots of assembly lube in there to prevent dry start up.
go for it.

 

[Peter-man99]

joeb1, to lower the dry time take the oil filter and fill it with oil before installing. That would be a good idea at every oil change. A pre-oiler would eliminate any dry starts even after oil changes as well as a pressure gauge...o&o>.

Not to hijack the thread or anything but what should one use for a pre-oiler. I have read about using a pre-oiler but don't know what to look for at the parts store.