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Topic: No oil pressure. (Read 1871 times) previous topic - next topic

No oil pressure.

OH BOY! Looks like I get to drain my fresh oil out and take my oil pan off again. So, if I take my distributor out and take a drill and spin the oil pump and I get no oil pressure do I need to replace my oil pump?

No oil pressure.

Reply #1 –
You did put the pick up on, right?
(silly question, but hey, it could happen lol)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

No oil pressure.

Reply #2 –
Yes, it's on. The first time I put the oil pump on I jammed the oil pump shaft. I loosened the oil pump and turned the shaft, so I thought It was ok. Maybe I rounded it out somehow?

No oil pressure.

Reply #3 –
So, my guess is that the whole time I thought I was having problems with my intake manifold, it was really my oil pump. That's why the rough running and white smoke.

No oil pressure.

Reply #4 –
Well, to be honest I was a little sad for my poor old car yesterday. At least it's an old engine (202,000 miles on it). All together from trying to start it, I probably ran it for about 30 seconds. I could have sworn the first couple times I saw oil pressure, but I know I didn't yesterday. Today, I will try the drill trick and spin the pump to see if I get anything. If not, I'll take the pan off again ,and see what's the problem. If I can fix it, and it runs, I'll do a compression check, then take it from there. Bad part of it all is that I had installed the new mini-starter that is rated at 18:1 compression (ouch!). I think maybe I'll squirt a little Marvel mystery oil down the cylinders. It's not over just yet....

No oil pressure.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: 86cougar;399669
OH BOY! Looks like I get to drain my fresh oil out and take my oil pan off again. So, if I take my distributor out and take a drill and spin the oil pump and I get no oil pressure do I need to replace my oil pump?


A dry pump will take quite awhile to prime it's self, very possibly would damage the bearings if you try to run it without pressure... Soooo yes prime it with a drill, which BTW needs to spin CCW.... Once pressure builds the pump will be very hard to spin, be ready for the drill to jump out of your hand if not careful...

No oil pressure.

Reply #6 –
I took the oil pan off today. It sure makes a world of difference when you just did the same job for the first time about two weeks ago! I knew what size bolts on most of them, I knew what needed to come off and sequence, and I didn't have 26 years of rust and rock hard grease holding everything together. That was a pleasure! Anyway, I don't have to worry about running a dry pump. When I took the distributor off I didn't see the pump shaft! To make sure I stuck a 12" screw driver in there and it went down about 11". I checked the bottom of the oil pan and no shaft. I pulled the oil pump down and (you got it) no shaft. What the #$*&!!! Oh, when I started to drain the oil there was about a quart of coolant came out first. I would have thought coolant would have sat on top of the oil and came out last. Of course the oil filter was dry. I found a shaft and I will pick it up tomorrow. Thanks!

No oil pressure.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: 86cougar;399743
I pulled the oil pump down and (you got it) no shaft. What the #$*&!!! Oh, when I started to drain the oil there was about a quart of coolant came out first. I would have thought coolant would have sat on top of the oil and came out last. Of course the oil filter was dry. I found a shaft and I will pick it up tomorrow. Thanks!

That doesn't sound good at all, if it has that much coolant in the oil it no doubt has a leaking gasket or other serious issue like a cracked block or head., installing a pump shaf may be a waste of time...

I'd fill the coolant while the pan is off to try to determine the source... If it's running by a piston then it no doubt has a cracked block, head or blown head gasket......

Water, coolant, etc is heavier than oil, normal for it to settle to the bottom... When it's pumped through the engine is when it becomes a milkshake...

No oil pressure.

Reply #8 –
Turbocoupe50,
                  I went though a whole other thread about my intake manifold gasket. It was suggested to me to use a little RTV around the water jackets, so I used Permatex high temp red and it only made a mess. So, I cleaned up the manifold and put a new one gasket on with only a dab of RTV on the valley gaps. I had started my engine, but it ran rough so I shut it down. I never did drain my oil until after I put the new gasket on. It just surprised me today when the coolant came out first, I never had coolant in my oil before. Now I know that all I have to do is crack the oil plug a little and I will know if there is coolant in my oil. I really don't have clue how much coolant came out, probably a pint or less (??). I'm going to pick up my new pump shaft and oil tomorrow.

No oil pressure.

Reply #9 –
It happens. Hopefully all that results from it is this thread reminding you, and not a ruined lower end.

Oil is more dense than water, hence why it floats, whether it's in the Gulf or an oil pan. Your filter is safe, no need to replace it, it's the first thing to get oil after it goes through the pump.

Hopefully there's no issues :)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

No oil pressure.

Reply #10 –
Um, the question remains... where did the original oil pump shaft go?  I am absolutely certain that the engine didn't eat it.

No oil pressure.

Reply #11 –
It will show up. The last time I remember touching it, I was lining it up with the distributor. I put some mystery oil in the cylinders yesterday and let it soak over night. No way to treat an old friend, this car has never let me down.

No oil pressure.

Reply #12 –
30 seconds initial 1200 rpm default start up of a cold motor with metal to metal on high mileage bearings will equal lots of noise and possibly a flashing or constant oil light.
your probably spinnning your wheels putting in a shaft only.. my 2c worth.  IM not really sure how endowed you are with "luck" but if you come out of this ok i will be very surprised.

No oil pressure.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: jcassity;399848
30 seconds initial 1200 rpm default start up of a cold motor with metal to metal on high mileage bearings will equal lots of noise and possibly a flashing or constant oil light.
your probably spinnning your wheels putting in a shaft only.. my 2c worth.  IM not really sure how endowed you are with "luck" but if you come out of this ok i will be very surprised.


Well said J that motor needs to be inspected for rod and main bearing damage. Reading your posts 86 it seems like this engine is very tired !!! Time to yank it and rebuild it or replace it. SORRY !!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

No oil pressure.

Reply #14 –
I've still got a pump drive in the bottom of my pan. Dropped there when I last pulled the dist.I ran the camera down and it's flat in the sump so I didn't chase it, just got the one from the donor engine and put it back together. My first start I had no pressure and i was totally shiznitting myself.