Club 80-90 Forums

2.1 litre DJ. Just put the engine back in the bus after head gaskets etc. Turned it over as per the manual and the oil pressure light is flashing at me. If memory serves me right, I think this means absolutely bugger all oil pressure. The thing is filled up, so what steps do I take to get to the root of this one?

Might be wrong but ive seen this on some of me bikes after an oil 'n' filter change gotta let the oil pressure build up by running it can be quite worrying waiting for it to go out should'nt take any more than a few seconds just a thought and don't quote me on it

DO NOT START THE ENGINE!!! you need to wind the engine on the starter with the spark plugs removed and the ignition system and fuel system disabled till the oil light goes out if you started the engine with no oil pressure for any length of time you will be taking it out again to rebuild the bottom end

Ok. The thing theoretically should be fine but what I'm going to do next is- Check the oil pressure switch circuits. Check the oil pressure with an external gauge. Anybody got any further suggestions?

Ok. Done all that. Oil pressure definitely ZERO!
Before I strip the giant paperweight down again, has anybody got any suggestions what might be causing the problem?

Have you been cranking it over with plugs removed?

Did you prefill the filter as much as poss before fitting it?

Is it on a level surface with oil up to max on dipstick?

Its unlikely, or not common I would have thought on these motors for the oil pump to pack up completely.. what was done to the engine - EXACTLY?

Maybe try overffilling it - slightly!

Oil pressure, compression etc tested before starting job. Had the engine on a stand. Drained & flushed oil & coolant, replaced all seals, sealant & gaskets on cylinders & heads. Heads crack tested etc. re-assembled, re-filled. went through start-up after re-build procedure- plugs out, oil level ok etc.
I would have thought that it's almost impossible, without some other symptoms, for the oil pump to fail so I'm completely baffled. Can't imagine what I've disturbed or done wrong so any suggestions welcome.

Just a thought,have you checked the oil pressure relieve valve,could be stuck open.
Don

Thanks Don. Forgot to mention that I'd checked it. Had a severe crisis of confidence all day. For how long should I turn the engine over to check oil pressure? plugs in, out or no matter? Talked to my newsagent this morning who's just rebuilt the engine out of his sixties Merc and either he's been knackering engines all his life or I have!

Sorted Brand new oem oil filter apparently not letting any oil flow through. Don't know why yet . I'll have a look when it's drained.
Beware those oil filters!

Well done, let us knwo what make and where it cam from please... could have been nasty!

Now had time to check it out thoroughly. Can't see anything physically wrong with the filter but bought another two from the same place, tried 'em on different engines & tried vw filters on the same engines. Results : Vw filter= oil pressure ok. Mann filter= severe oil pressure problems. I've used Mann filters loads of times before with no problems whatsoever so I assume this is a faulty batch and I've informed the supplier.

jackandcicely wrote:Now had time to check it out thoroughly. Can't see anything physically wrong with the filter but bought another two from the same place, tried 'em on different engines & tried vw filters on the same engines. Results : Vw filter= oil pressure ok. Mann filter= severe oil pressure problems. I've used Mann filters loads of times before with no problems whatsoever so I assume this is a faulty batch and I've informed the supplier.

Now I am not one to support the American style litigious mentallity, but that comes close to being a justified case !!

If you had started and run your motor to wait for oil pressure to build up ( as many do ) you could have been in big do-do