350i /1987 and new cam

[tcpc]

hello

bought my car back last night and all seems well until i went to put it away when i notice the oil pressure light came on, i have tried to prime as people have said on other topics on here but still no pressure,
it sounds like very litte oil on the top top part off the engine( i.e cam area), i am running on 10/40 semi oil as to min 15/40 before the work was done,

can any one give me some idea's as to what has gone wrong.

thanks from one very down in the dumps person




>>> Edited by tcpc on Sunday 20th April 13:50

[danny hoffman]

Firstly I presume the gauge is showing no pressure either?

Have you tried priming the pump via the distributor drive and an electric drill? This is the best way IMHO.

Danny

[tcpc]

yes i have tryed that, there is no sign on the gauge and the red light stays on

tony

[brm brm]

Have you whipped a rocker cover off to see if you are getting oil pressure or if its just an indication problem?

If there is no oil and priming via the distributor doesn't work then it could be the infamous pressure relief valve sticking. Wacking the oil pump cover with a soft mallet might free it if its a standard unit. If that is the problem you will need to replace it. Do you know if it is a standard relief valve or a modified "Tadpole"?? From my own sorry saga (recorded on PH at the end of last year) Tadpoles are no better than standard valves other than they trash the pump cover, and in my case I went back to a standard valve. You will need to re-prime if you do this job - packing the oil pump with vaseline will do the trick.

Good Luck!

[tcpc]

i haven't taken a rocker off yet i will try that later and it is a standard pump, i will give it a tap and see what happens

thanks tony

[danny hoffman]

This doesn't sound right - if the pressure releif valve had stuck you would sitll get oil pressure when winding up the pump on an electric drill. Sounds more serious - maybe your oil-pickup has crack / fallen off.

Sorry to ask, but are you sure there is oil in the sump?

[tcpc]

took off a rocker cover spun the drill and the oil isn't getting up there

bashed the oil pump with a wooden mallet and stick

so i took off the oil filter to see if i was getting oil to that, no oil to filter,

i think that the oil pick up is a big poss so i will if i can get under the car and take the sump off and have a look,


thanks tony

[tcpc]

hi

i have taken the oil pump off and the oil pump gears out, and the valve was stuck open so i think that i will replace the pump and the gears to be on the safe side,
can anyone recomnmend some one that will supply these bits for me at a sensible price

thanks tony

[brm brm]

I got mine (pump cover and valve) from Rimmer Bros - new bits and a prompt service. I havent got any comparison on price but they seem competative on most things.

[danny hoffman]

You could also try RPI. I would recommend you get a new cover with a modified spring base which allows you to adjust the oil pressure. Only a few pounds if I remember correctly. I strongly recommend that you don't go for the tadpole mod.

Danny

[tcpc]

thanks for the replys, got one from RPI they seem to be the fairist in prices, should be here in a day or 2


thank tony