HELP No oil pressure

Post by **Morris57** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:37 pm

After removing the old siezed engine from my friends Morris Minor,and installing a good engine from another car (so he was told),and turning over the newly installed engine with the starter motor for what seems an eternity we still have no oil pressure(we had a booster pack on the battery) even after turning over the engine for what must have been 15-20 minutes or so off and on.I removed the oil pressure switch and there is NO oil present.I presume the oil pump is self priming but it does not seem to be working.

P.S We removed the pressure relief valve and checked it and it seems ok.

Has anyone any suggestions as how to prime the pump and get some oil pressure,or are we doing something wrong?I have told my friend a gallon of 4 star and a box of matches is NOT the answer.VERY FRUSTATING THOUGH!

Post by **simmitc** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:07 pm

On the left hand side of the engine (as it is in the car), at the rear are two plugs. The vertical one is a water drain plug, but the horizontal one, just below the side cover, can be removed and will allow you to inject oil into the pump. It is unusual for this to be necessary, but it is also unusual for the pump to not pick up oil. Do you know how long the engine has been standing? You should be able to prime it with the starting handle, no need to wear out the starter motor. Silly question, is the oil at the correct level on the dip stick? Good luck, it's probably not terminal.

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:42 pm

Take the plugs out, if haven't already, to let it spin over faster.

Post by **Morris57** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:01 pm

I think the engine my have been stood for a couple of years but it has been regularly turned over with the cranking handle.Are these plugs on the left hand side of the engine looking into the engine bay from the front of the car?

Post by **simmitc** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:15 pm

The plugs to which Morris57 refers are the spark plugs on the right hand side of the engine. The plugs to which I referred (or pluds until I corrected the typo!) are, as stated, on the left hand side. All references are to the engine as if one was sitting in the driving seat facing the front of the car. Thus front would be at the front where the radiator is and back would be towards the rear where the gearbox is. Hope that all makes sense.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:17 pm

Most would stand at the radaiator - looking down at the engine - the oil fill plug is then at the back RIGHT of the engine. It's also possible to back fill the pump by removing the pipe running from the block down to the oil filter - easier access than struggling with the hidden 'plug'! Then add oil to the large upper hole - while slowly turning the engine backwards with the fan blades. Add about 1/4 pint - then refit the pipe - and spin it up (spark plugs out) on the starter until you get decent pressure. You should also squirt some oil down the bores before doing ANY of this cranking!

Post by **forbesg** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:55 am

I wondering whether the oil pickup in the sump has come adrift.

-Grant.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:33 am

Good point forbesg.
Did you spin the engine with the oil pressure sender out?
I think it is at the top of a drilling so you wouldn't see much sign of oil there.

Post by **sirrom** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:01 am

I agree with BMC about putting oil in where the pipe goes at the right side of the engine just behind where the oil pressue switch goes. I recently rebuit an engine and didnt have pressure and putting oil in there everything is fine with 60psi when cold and about 40psi when hot

Post by **Morris57** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:32 pm

Yippee,oil pump primed oil pressure good engine now running and sounding sweet.

A big THANK YOU to all for the help received

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:28 pm

Great success! Top Tip here for anyone putting an engine aside after a rebuild - is to smear some vaseline into the oil pump after loading it with new oil of course. This will hold the oil in the pump - and it will prime up much more easily when you go to use it. Cewrtainly never ever put an oil pump in 'dry'! And always pump up oil pressure on any engine that has been standing - before attempting to start it.