Good Morning all, I have my motor back together and can not get oil pressure. I inspected the pump while it was a part and packed it with assembly lube when it went back together. I have cranked and cranked and cranked with no success. There has to be a way to prime these things? Any tips would be appreciated. Right now my plan is to remove the pressure sensor and pump oil into the system unless there is a better way.
Oil pump priming
- Thread starter LRDONE
- Start date
I would do as you are planning. However, as a last resort on a BMW 524td I introduced some compressed air in the crankcase and that surprisingly worked. I was concerned about forcing a seal out but if that didn’t work I was going to have pull the oil pump to repack it and getting to it is a lot of work.
The last GEMS engine I put together I used this stuff:
It built pressure right away. It is super sticky.
The last GEMS engine I put together I used this stuff:
Permatex Ultra Slick Engine Assembly Lube
It built pressure right away. It is super sticky.
I use a power bleeder with oil in it. Attached right where you are thinking. I’ve never packed the pump with anything, so I don’t know about that. Usually I have the motor on the stand valve covers on, intake may or may not be on. Before I install the oil pan I feed oil right in the oil pick up with the block upside down while I am turning the motor over by hand. Once I’ve run a quart thru then I install the oil pan. Flip it over and quickly put a few more quarts in there and crank it over by hand again. Have not encountered and delays in oil pressure doing it that way. Sounds like you are past that point, so I would try the pressure port but you’re probably going to need some pressure behind the oil to get it in there in a meaningful way. Good luck. Firing up a new motor is always such a lively experience till you know it’s all worked out.
Thanks for the input guys. I'll try this tonight when I get home from work and let you know how it goes. I'm feeling optimistic now. The truck is going on a 1000 mile trip a week from now so I have no choice but to make it work.
*The pump I'm going to use is a gear driven pump that you attach to a drill. I use it to fill transmissions all the time so I'm thinking I should be able to get some force behind it.
*The pump I'm going to use is a gear driven pump that you attach to a drill. I use it to fill transmissions all the time so I'm thinking I should be able to get some force behind it.
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Let us know how it works out. I’m doing an oil pump this weekend. I usually use Vaseline and pack the gears in place, but my experience is limited.
I used Vaseline for years to pack oil pumps. The only downside is if the initial attempt fails all the Vaseline gets pumped up and out of the pump and you have to repack it. I like the sticky assembly lube because it hangs in better until oil pushes it out. Well, that is my personal assessment anyway. I only have one in the books that I used that lube but I am 1 for 1.
Update, Absolute no go. I had so much pressure in the system oil shot out when I pulled the hose off the port for the pressure sensor. Super disappointed. How important is the alignment marks on the oil pump gears? Also, are the pressure relief springs a cause for concern? This oil pump never had a problem before I don’t get it.
Maybe remove a rocker cover and see if oil is making it to the top end? Did it take a while before the light went out before the engine work? Maybe try a different sensor? Maybe the spring on the relief valve is too weak or it is stuck open? I’m sure you have considered all this… Im just tossing around ideas.
I have one that takes too long for the light to go out at start up. Before I tear into it I am going to try a new spring in the relief valve and a new sensor. You know, simple, cheap, and easy stuff first even it it is unlikely to be the problem.
I have one that takes too long for the light to go out at start up. Before I tear into it I am going to try a new spring in the relief valve and a new sensor. You know, simple, cheap, and easy stuff first even it it is unlikely to be the problem.
Is there a chance that your front cover gasket doesn't have the right hole punched? I saw it myself once and there is mention of it on the last post here:
There was a recent discussion of a similar issue on this forum. He was using a 4.0/4.6 gasket with a 3.9 distributor pump driven timing cover. Maybe your issue is the reverse, a 3.9 gasket with 4.0 engine and cover? At first glance you wouldn’t notice but they are a little different. .
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I like the idea of checking for flow. D1’s seem to have a reputation for being slow to build pressure in many cases, including our 95. After I did the front cover and am the fixins, I cranked forever and got no pressure at the filter. It’s an old engine, so I just fired it up and pressure built within 30s, which is pretty normal for me with 15w40 and temps under 50. Fine since, but I totally understand how nerve wracking that could be with a fresh build!
Cheers,
joe b
pdx or
95 D1 v8 5sp 200k
Cheers,
joe b
pdx or
95 D1 v8 5sp 200k
So I pulled the oil filter off since it was a filter I had never used before. I had my wife crank the motor to see if oil would come out. There was an ever so slight drip but nothing making me feel like a oil filter restriction. I’m going to pull the cover back of and start over and start with a fresh pump as well.
Update, I took the oil pan back off. I confirmed the oil pick up to be clean and clear. I used an oil pump to push oil to the oil pump and could year oil squish through things. But what alerted me right away was oil leaking out the side of the cover. Either I did that with too much pressure or there’s a leak not allowing the pump to pull oil? Either way it’s getting re sealed so I took note of that. I had screwed on a brand new filter and did not prime it. After I was done pumping and cranked the motor a few times the filter is full, good news right. I had ran a hose from where the pick up bolts to the block to a quart of oil. The tubing is clear so I could see if the pump was pulling oil. Nope, was not and oil light is still on. All that being said, could the gasket leaking clearly on the suction side of the oil be enough to not allow the pump to suck oil to the pump? I’m on to something but I don’t k ow exactly yet.
Double check you used the correct timing cover gasket. Surprisingly, that mistake does happen. I know of 3 people I would consider pretty good mechanics with a good amount of rover v8 engine building experience that have made that mistake. It is a slight difference and easily overlooked. I’m one of those 3 people but fortunately I noticed it on the engine stand. It definitely creates a suction leak and would prevent the pump from staying primed.
I suppose your gasket kit could have even had the wrong gasket in it. In my case I had a box full of gaskets leftover from previous projects. I had multiples of both versions in the box and didn’t know they were different. I grabbed the first one and matched it up to the block and thought all was good. Nope… you have to match it to the timing cover. I am wondering if some of the gasket kits had both version included as I don’t know why I would have at least a handful of extras..
I suppose your gasket kit could have even had the wrong gasket in it. In my case I had a box full of gaskets leftover from previous projects. I had multiples of both versions in the box and didn’t know they were different. I grabbed the first one and matched it up to the block and thought all was good. Nope… you have to match it to the timing cover. I am wondering if some of the gasket kits had both version included as I don’t know why I would have at least a handful of extras..
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I went back to look at some pictures and it’s appears I am using the correct gasket. I still think something is going on with it though. Maybe it moved a bit when I put the cover on. I’m also curious about the oil pressure relief? I had put the whole cover in an ultrasonic cleaner which removed ever but of oil in the cover. What a stuck relief cause a zero oil pressure problem in these motors?
Alright everyone, I believe I have the problem sorted out. I used a hylomar non setting product on the gaskets and they did not like it. The gaskets were splitting/separating and crumbling/ falling a part. I believe there was enough of a leak from the engine block to the timing cover that the pump could not prime. I should have everything back together tomorrow so this theory will be tested. Thanks for everyones help.
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Im hoping to fire mine up tonight and have pressure! Now Im worried about my gasket too as it looks like yours as well. I didnt use Hylomar but the permatex substitute. Wouldnt hurt to check the relief valve while you are in there but I doubt it would be stuck. Fingers crossed for both of us.