***No oilpressure on 400SE----HELP !!!!!

[cantus]

On the 400SE of a friend of mine we find no oilpressure.

The details :

• oil is changed
• oil is pumped up with electric drill through distributor hole and gives 10 psi oilpressure

with 1000 rpm on the drill ( which is 2.000 on engine when engine runs)

• After installing distributor and starting the engine, we have no oilpressure at all.

How is this possible ??????????

please advice
William "Cantus" Waardenburg

[adam quantrill]

Hi Cantus. Things to check:

1. When you intalled the distributor, did you make sure it engaged OK with the oil pump shaft? Because if it didn't it won't turn the shaft = no pressure.

2. Take the distributor back off and re-check the pressure when you rotate the drive shaft.

3. Check the bottom end of the distributor shaft to make sure it's still intact, the tang is still there to engage with the oil shaft etc...

[cantus]

adam quantrill said:

Hi Cantus. Things to check:

1. When you intalled the distributor, did you make sure it engaged OK with the oil pump shaft? Because if it didn't it won't turn the shaft = no pressure.

2. Take the distributor back off and re-check the pressure when you rotate the drive shaft.

3. Check the bottom end of the distributor shaft to make sure it's still intact, the tang is still there to engage with the oil shaft etc...

1. I did check that ! male went into female otherwise distributor is in higher position.
2. We did that and pressure was back on with electric drill.
3. Checked that as well and both tang are ok and in position.

weired isn't it ?

[adam quantrill]

Yeah, weird. How long did you run the engine for and at what RPM? I'm thinking maybe the new oil filter is bleeding down in the time if takes you to reinstall the dizzy, and all you need to do is blip the throttle up to 1500-2000 and it'll come back up and stay there.

[TVRleigh]

you could allways take the hose off the filter, and put in a bowl, and take the HT lead off, and turn engine over as the starter should create some presure.

you also may want to take the plugs out so it's spins easier.

at least then you will be able to see if the pumps working, without the risk of doing any harm.

[cantus]

adam quantrill said:

I'm thinking maybe the new oil filter is bleeding down in the time if takes you to reinstall the dizzy, .

we did install the oilfilter upsite down and disconnected the oilcooler and thermostat.

Edited by cantus on Wednesday 18th July 16:08

[TVRleigh]

are your sure the filter has the one way value, as this is needed if mounted upside down.

do you know the make and model.

[350zwelgje]

First remark is that the pressure you are able to achieve seems low to me. Never checked myself while priming, so can be absolutely wrong.

Are you sure about the oil pressure relief valve setup? If this sticks open/closed or a combination of both, it can create all sorts of issues. Oil pressure relief spring is the first suspect. For example I changed mine and oilpressure afterwards was like a new-ish engine.

Next possibility:
Perhaps the oil pump base is worn, and you can prime but it won't 'hold' the oil afterwards.
Can be overhauled, think that Adam Quantrill on here mentioned how to do that.

Last resort:
Is the oilpump history known? As when not, I would go for a complete replacement of the gears (not expensive), base if it is worn(a bit more expensive and important to install correctly), and new oilpressure relief plunger (standard, no tadpole...) and relief valve spring (standard not uprated...). Read once some interesting stuff on this, forgot where, could be one of the RV8-specialist websites on how to check old/new base plate, and proper procedure to put everything back together with new parts. Not to difficult when I remember well.

If you do a search for oilpump on pistonheads wedge forum information will come up as well as remember the a few times the pump has been discussed.

Good luck to find the problem and fix it.

Rob

[TVRleigh]

RPI do a new style flotech pump base. so if its faulty, I'd get a new style, instead of changing the gears. as its does not suffer the same problems as the old one. I think they are £95.

[Hormone]

350zwelgje said:

Are you sure about the oil pressure relief valve setup? If this sticks open/closed or a combination of both, it can create all sorts of issues. Oil pressure relief spring is the first suspect. For example I changed mine and oilpressure afterwards was like a new-ish engine.

Rob

I'll second this. Drove to work one day, all was well. Went to drive home no oil pressure.
It just would not prime to bring up enough oil pressure.

After a few prayers it turned out to be the relief piston seized.

freed it, cleaned it & no problem since.

Hope it is this simple for you.

Brian

[cantus]

We did check the oil pump, piston is sliding smoothly and spring seems to be ok.
Still no oil pressure !

[adam quantrill]

Does the oil light go out?

a) priming
b) running

Edited by adam quantrill on Friday 20th July 12:08

[350zwelgje]

Oil pickup in the sump can be a possible cause.

Drop the sump to check, but my best bet would still be on a knackered oilpump. And while you are at it have a look at the oilpump drive gear from the camshaft, these wear and worth replacing if too bad.

Probably you fixed it, and on your way to the BBWF hopefully. If so, have fun, and keep your 2006 reputation up.

Rob

[andymadmak]

adam quantrill said:

Does the oil light go out?

a) priming
b) running

Edited by adam quantrill on Friday 20th July 12:08

This is surely the point. Does the light go out? If you had good pressure before the oil change then it's unlikely that anything huge has gone wrong just as a result of dropping the oil and changing the filter.
So, does the light go out? If so, then you may just have a knackered guage, or the sender unit may be clogged with something or you may have disrputed the wiring from the sender unit. The pressure on the drill @ 2000rpm equivelant looks low. but there's no earthly reason why if you can get an indicated 10psi on the drill you couldn't get 10psi with the engine. The pump either works or it doesn't. I had something VERY similar once, turned out the nut that held the wire to the sender was loose so that as the engine was running the vibes make the contact intermittent, and the reading much lower than it should be.

Andy

Edited to add: If the light does not go out within 5 seconds of engine start then you definately have a pump / pick up problem.

Edited by andymadmak on Monday 23 July 10:54

[TVRleigh]

You could always bypass the oil cooler and cooler thermostat.
Incase you have a problem there.