No oil pressure!
No oil pressure!
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Discussion

cozzyspud

Original Poster:

11 posts

231 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
Hi guys, I've just bought a 4.2 AJP last week, I got it fairly cheap as it has no oil pressure but does still runs (obviously I haven't driven it) I was hoping it was just a gauge fault but now upon further inspection it isn't, I've order'd a new oil pressure relief spring and valve but I'm not confident these will fix it, my question is can the sump be removed with the engine still in the car, can I get to the oil pump etc, opinions please!
Thanks in advance.
Regards Paul.

spongy

2,236 posts

185 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
engine out I am afraid if the pump has failed you would be wise to strip engine as a precautionary measure......for sure

cozzyspud

Original Poster:

11 posts

231 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
That's what I thought mate :-(, iff it does have to come out it will definately be getting a thorough inspection before it goes back in!
Thanks for your speedy reply :-)

jamieduff1981

8,092 posts

164 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
As the car was cheap it's worth doing this properly mate. These engines are getting fairly precious due to low numbers made so it's definately wise to have it stripped and rebuilt with new bearing shells etc to make sure it doesn't trash itself just after replacing the relief spring.

It'll be worth it in the end smile

spongy

2,236 posts

185 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
no probs bud get it done and enjoy, the ajp v8 is a very good engine was having a chat with a tvr specialist on Friday who worked for tvr race teams for years and he really rates the v8s.hope you get it sorted bud

ukkid35

6,392 posts

197 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
When you say no oil pressure, what do you mean?

As others have said, if the oil pump drive mechanism has failed then you are looking at a fairly serious engine out job - and that is assuming it hasn't been damaged beyond repair.

Have you checked for metal on the dipstick?

I wish you luck, but I'm not betting on a result.

cozzyspud

Original Poster:

11 posts

231 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
The car has been off the road for over 5 years, when the last owner parked it up he claims it still had oil pressure, before I picked it up he changed the oil hopeing it would cure the problem, it didn't so I got it cheap, when I got it home I removed the pipe to the gauge and no oil was present, next I removed the oil filter which was full of black oil whereas the oil on the dipstick is new and clean so obviously it's not circulating!
Is the engine removal a massive undertaking or just like any other?
Regards Paul
Ps, I've owned many Cosworths so I'm used to temperamental but rewarding cars! Lol.

Gazzab

21,581 posts

306 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
cozzyspud said:
The car has been off the road for over 5 years, when the last owner parked it up he claims it still had oil pressure, before I picked it up he changed the oil hopeing it would cure the problem, it didn't so I got it cheap, when I got it home I removed the pipe to the gauge and no oil was present, next I removed the oil filter which was full of black oil whereas the oil on the dipstick is new and clean so obviously it's not circulating!
Is the engine removal a massive undertaking or just like any other?
Regards Paul
Ps, I've owned many Cosworths so I'm used to temperamental but rewarding cars! Lol.
I wonder if he primed the oil filter...?

cozzyspud

Original Poster:

11 posts

231 months

Sunday 16th June 2013
quotequote all
He can't have changed it mate as it was still full of old oil, when I get the new parts I've order'd I'll start from the beginning again, I've also bought a workshop manual to get me familiar with this new car!

jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

236 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
I don't get that, he last had it on the road 5 years ago when it had good oil pressure - but he changed the oil to 'cure the problem'?

Tanguero

4,535 posts

225 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Does the oil pressure light come on as well as the gauge not showing a reading. On the Cerbera they are separate systems, so if they are both showing no pressure then it is probably a mechanical problem. If so the most likely explanation is a sheared woodruff key on the gear drive for the oil pump. That is an engine out job as it is under the front timing cover and there is not room to remove that with the engine in situ in the car.

FarmyardPants

4,303 posts

242 months

Monday 17th June 2013
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Is the pressure gauge after the oil filter? If so, could be a clogged filter. Might be worth changing that (prime it as stated). Also the oil pump needs to be primed, this can be done with a power drill (details on here somewhere). You could check for pressure on the starter motor only, I wouldn't fire it up. If still no joy I would have it trailered to a specialist. Good luck!

TimJM

1,497 posts

234 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
If there was no oil in the gauge pipe then I assume the low oil pressure light is also illuminated on the dash as the oil gauge pipe is just behind the oil pressure switch and they are separate systems.

If the low oil pressure light isn't on then I would remove the oil gauge pipe and check for kinks/blockages. It is unlikely both systems would fail together.

If the low oil pressure light is on you have less than 10psi and the gauge isn't showing a reading at all then you probably have 0psi.

How have you been testing this without running the engine? What is the best way to test the oil pressure without starting the engine? Cranking with the spark plugs disconnected?

Good luck.

Jhonno

6,430 posts

165 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
TimJM said:
How have you been testing this without running the engine? What is the best way to test the oil pressure without starting the engine? Cranking with the spark plugs disconnected?

Good luck.
I'd imagine..

FarmyardPants said:
Also the oil pump needs to be primed, this can be done with a power drill (details on here somewhere).

jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

236 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Best way to prime would be with the spark plugs out and to crank it over by hand, either using the belts or a socket and extension bar on the crank pulley nut.

FarmyardPants

4,303 posts

242 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
jammy_basturd said:
Best way to prime would be with the spark plugs out and to crank it over by hand, either using the belts or a socket and extension bar on the crank pulley nut.
That won't work I don't think, you need to force oil into the pump.

jammy_basturd

29,778 posts

236 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
It's been a few years, but I'm pretty sure I've done it to a point where the oil pressure warning light went out.

ridds

8,366 posts

268 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
Plugs out, buy a proper gauge and connect that with a blown out oil line to the block.

You should get pressure on cranking. Crank for 10 seconds with a 20-30 second pause between. This will protect your starter and the bearings.

If this fails you would have to disconnect either a line from the oil cooler or the line that goes to the filter. List it as high as possible and fill with approx 1 litre of oil (or as much as it'll take). THis will back prime the pump and help get your pressure (if possible).

Also look down the RH side near to where the dipstick enters the sump. Can you see the PAS pump drive turning when the engine is cranking (the input not just the PAS pump itself)? If not then the compound gear drive has failed and it's engine out time.