No oil pressure.
Discussion
As a bit of a project with my son we've tackled an engine swap on a Frontera. The old engine had a failed head gasket and other woes so in went another eco-tec out of a Vectra.
It's years since I have attampted an engine swap and never before on anything I would regard as 'modern' so some of the electrinics came as a bit of a shock!
Still, it's in and it starts but no oil pressure. Of course I should have told him to prime the pump when we swapped sumps but it's too late for that now so all suggestions gratefully received!
Maybe it just takes time but I'm cautious of running without lubrication. Even tought of pressurising the sump throught the dipstick hole and blocking the breathers but that might be a bit drastic.
It's years since I have attampted an engine swap and never before on anything I would regard as 'modern' so some of the electrinics came as a bit of a shock!
Still, it's in and it starts but no oil pressure. Of course I should have told him to prime the pump when we swapped sumps but it's too late for that now so all suggestions gratefully received!
Maybe it just takes time but I'm cautious of running without lubrication. Even tought of pressurising the sump throught the dipstick hole and blocking the breathers but that might be a bit drastic.
That's a good thought Steve.
Circumstances are that when the engine 'caught' I thought that the top end was a bit noisy and I expected that clatter to stop once the oil pressure built up. At the same time my son, at the dashboard end, said that the oil light was on and the gauge not registering... So I took it that we had an oil pressure problem.
Latest is that he's tried priming as suggested but can't remove the new filter to check if that is oiling. Engine sounds the same, oil light still on and I'm reluctant to rev it for fear of damaging something.
Bottom end sounds quiet but top end was also fine when in Vectra.
Random suggestions have been a cracked pick up pipe or that the distribution galleries do not line up between block & pump (I kept the Frontera pump because it had an oil cooler and the right pick up for the sump)
Last idea before removing the sump would be to de-time it then rig a drive to the oil pump to test delivery although I'm not sure what that could achieve.
At least the Vectra wreckage has gone now, so the project can be transferred into the garage. Time was that I would happily lie on a cold driveway for hours on end... Not any more!!
Circumstances are that when the engine 'caught' I thought that the top end was a bit noisy and I expected that clatter to stop once the oil pressure built up. At the same time my son, at the dashboard end, said that the oil light was on and the gauge not registering... So I took it that we had an oil pressure problem.
Latest is that he's tried priming as suggested but can't remove the new filter to check if that is oiling. Engine sounds the same, oil light still on and I'm reluctant to rev it for fear of damaging something.
Bottom end sounds quiet but top end was also fine when in Vectra.
Random suggestions have been a cracked pick up pipe or that the distribution galleries do not line up between block & pump (I kept the Frontera pump because it had an oil cooler and the right pick up for the sump)
Last idea before removing the sump would be to de-time it then rig a drive to the oil pump to test delivery although I'm not sure what that could achieve.
At least the Vectra wreckage has gone now, so the project can be transferred into the garage. Time was that I would happily lie on a cold driveway for hours on end... Not any more!!
Can you lift a cam cover or better still, look inside the filler cap for signs of oil flowing across the valves. You'll have to get your face nice and close mind otherwise you won't see the small amount of oil flowing from the valve gear. If there's flow then the pressure's building up.
Boosted.
Boosted.
If you want to make sure the engine is safe, one option is to Tee into one of the oil lines and pump some oil in from an external pump (I've got a small pump that is driven by an electric drill which is perfect. You could put that into one of the oil cooler hoses. If there isn't a convenient hose you can use a sandwich plate under the filter. That would at least ensure that the pump is primed and maybe start getting some oil round the engine, before you go any further.
Thought I'd bump this with some good news.
I often wonder about the outcome of problem when a thread dies.
Engine out, sump off again. I found that the mounting flange on the oil pick up was slightly out of true. Filed it flat, new 'O' ring and replaced the bolts with longer machine screws to get a better grip in the pump casting.
Set it up to turn over on the bench with plugs out and we have indeed struck oil at all points - Couldn't have been more pleased if the strike had been on a Texan scale!
So thanks for the inspiration gentlemen. As we speak the motor is dangling over the engine bay waiting for us to get some more free time to fit it.
I often wonder about the outcome of problem when a thread dies.
Engine out, sump off again. I found that the mounting flange on the oil pick up was slightly out of true. Filed it flat, new 'O' ring and replaced the bolts with longer machine screws to get a better grip in the pump casting.
Set it up to turn over on the bench with plugs out and we have indeed struck oil at all points - Couldn't have been more pleased if the strike had been on a Texan scale!
So thanks for the inspiration gentlemen. As we speak the motor is dangling over the engine bay waiting for us to get some more free time to fit it.
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