Just fired up the car for the first time, the oil pressure gauge is connected to the pipe from the block but on running for 60 - 90 seconds there is nothing showing on the gauge.
Does the engine need to run for a certain amount of time to build up the pressure (especially on it's initial start up), i trust the gauge has no wiring going to it !
Again there was no real movement on the temperature side but can't say i would expect any in that short a time.
Oh and yes the gauge has been supposidly been reconditioned (but going on past experiences of other recon parts you cannot allways rely on this).

Help needed.

Rob

Rob,

You can always check the Oil pressure gauge with a little air pressure. If the gauge seems to work OK and all the connections are tight I would try cranking with the starter only. You should be able to build some pressure.

Prior to starting for any period I would make sure you have pressure.

Case in point I have a 100, so it's different but I was able to get 40 psi on the gauge with the starter only and was able to verify oil getting to the rockers and top end before starting.

Good luck - Hope this helps
Michael.

Hi Rob,
Did you pack the oil pump with anything when it went in? Some people have used vasoline, I made a mixture of assembly lube and oil. This would be to help prime the pump.

Michael

Guess i better check the gauge first, do you just blow some air into where the oil pipe goes in ?, don't you have to be carefull of the pressure.

Rob

Greg

Is there another way of priming the oil pump when it is fitted, i was then looking back at my invoices and don't believe i ever fitted a new pump as there didn't seem alot wrong with the old one after a clean up !

Rob

If the test air pressure is less than the gage maximum, no problem.

When the sump is filled with oil the pump is submerged. Normally, the pump will fill by gravity pressure if given enough time. Oil seeps in & air is driven out, albeit slowly. I've always found that a couple of hours with the pump submerged is more than adequate to fill the pump.

Most important would be to pre-fill the oil filter, when installing it, so that the pump doesn't have to fill it before pressure develops.

Even upside down & horizontal mount filters can be pre-filled & then quickly inverted & mounted without losing too much oil. Provided that the filter has a good anti-drainback valve.

If everything is working correctly, including the gage, pressure should show within 30 seconds of starter cranking before the engine is actually fired. Usually more like 10 seconds.

If you can't build pressure on the gage by starter cranking only, coil disconnected, there is something wrong. Do NOT fire the engine.
D

I agree with all that has been said and will only add that you may pull the spark plugs when you crank with the starter. You will crank faster and may crank for a bit longer, as it takes less juice. You can put a squirt or two of engine oil in each cylinder to give a little top end lubrication. Dave is correct as usual with the 30 second time frame, but that is a lot of work for your starter when it is working against compression.

Dave

Thankyou for your pointers, i will check the pressure gauge at the weekend then fill the oil filter up and see how we go from there.
In your opinion is there alot that can go wrong with the pump ? i never replaced mine but just cleaned it up.

Rob

Not much to go completely wrong with the pump, unless the gear drive key was left out of it.

Do make sure that the pressure relief valve & it's spring are in place & verify that the plunger is fully seating & not stuck open. Item 102 here:
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=36376
D

Chicken,

Had the same problem after a rebuild of my BJ7. Pull the filter head from the block. One of the holes under the filter head goes directly to the oil pump. Use a pump type oil can and pump oil into this hole until oil starts to run out. Install filter head and fill canister with oil.

You should immediately have oil pressure indicated on your gauge.

Ray

Ray

I fitted the new modified spin on oil filter to mine, would this still be the same.

Rob

Rob,

My BJ7 is fitted with the spin-on filter. I assumed you had the canister type filter. In the case of the spin-on, fill the filter with some oil and refit. If your oil pump is in good condition, you should see oil pressure within a few seconds.

Let us know the outcome.

Ray

Ray

So iv'e just come out of the shed and still have no oil pressure, i have done the following:

Filled the oil filter with oil and pumped some oil in the 2 holes until it came out again (only took a few squirts !)

Checked the pressure relief valve, seems free enougth.

Had the rocker cover off and oil was coming up through the rockers and going down the lifters.

Pressure checked the gauge with some air and it seemed to work ok.

So any ideas why i can't get any pressure now, doesn't seem to be any external leaks !


Rob

Hi Rob,
One thing you may want to try is bleed the oil line to the gauge. Remove the line at the gauge, have a rag handy to catch squirting oil, and crank the engine (Don't try to start it). When you get oil, stop cranking and re-attach the line. Don't forget that tiny washer.

There is a very tiny hole through the adapter fitting that goes between the block & the flex line. Is it plugged?
D