52 replies to this topic

[liirge]

Hey brand new build and I've got no oil pressure

Right first before the usual questions are asked:
- Yes the O-ring was fitted
- The pump was primed
- the oil relief valve is sealing oil from what I can tell
- I have a known working oil pressure gauge

Right other things.

There is oil coming through the hose to the oil pressure gauge, not in exactly a pressure form
There is oil coming through the transfer pipe to filter head, although not pressured is coming through in sort of spurts
When the oil filter is removed oil drains out of the centre part of the housing, so it seems that oil is making it out of the oil filter

The question is whats next?

I had it spinning pretty quickly (on a 14v tractor battery!!)

One thing I did notice is after cranking for a good 10 seconds, the pressure gauge needle moves off the stop to the 0 mark! so that tells me there is pressure of probably 1psi, so is this a bearing matter?

[ANON]

have you ran it or just cranked it over? worth checking the relief valve isn't stuck open.

[liirge]

I really don 't think the relief valve is stuck open, I've had it out, and I'm using the ball bearing, I've tried 2 different springs and nothing changes.

Just Cranked with plugs out and with a heavy duty battery or 2

Edited by liirge, 07 August 2011 - 11:23 AM.

[Ethel]

It can take an age to get pressure, long enough to run a battery flat.

[mini13]

Are you using an electric gauge?

if so it mayght be lieing due to the votage being pulled down by the starter.

generally if you use a capilery gauge or the std oil light as soon as you get a reading thats enough, even if its only a few lb.

[100ev8]

did you check the shell sizes against crank spec ? +20 _20 etc ?

[minimender]

I had this problem once after a rebuild.

My pressure relief valve was stuck partly open and I was only getting about 15 20psi.

I must have got dirt or something in the hole and it jammed the little piston.

Your ball bearing may have a flaw or something in the bottom of the hole.

[bmcecosse]

DO NOT attempt to run the engine till you get at least 50 psi on the gauge with the cranking. If all is well - it WILL come up. Could be as above - electric gauge not reading properly - does the oil light go out ? While I like the ball relief valve (and by the way it's not a Cooper S thing) - I suggest you try with a standard relief valve for now in case there is a problem with the 'ball'.

[liirge]

I would never run the engine without oil pressure!

I didn't actually double check the shells, they came from a supplier I've used many times and never had a problem, I hope its not a shell bearing supplied incorrectly!

No I'm using a capillary gauge, hence I said in my first post their is oil coming out of the tube going to the gauge

Even if it was partly open surely one would get more than a 0 reading on a gauge, and if it was open it wouldn't be spurting oil out of the transfer feed the filter head.

I will put another battery on charge and see if longer cranking time will help.

[Dan]

Did you fill the filter?

[minimender]

Even if it was partly open surely one would get more than a 0 reading on a gauge, and if it was open it wouldn't be spurting oil out of the transfer feed the filter head.

If it was partly open the oil pressure would not build up properly

You would just get the oil that the pump could deliver without any pressure to it.

The relief valve lets the pressure build up then releases it , opening and shutting all the time so if it aint closed properly then you will just get a trickle.

try taking the valve out and turning the engine backwards pumping oil into the relief valve hole with an oil can as you do it, that'll fill the pump good and proper just in case it's not primed properly.

[liirge]

It is primed 100 percent I spent ages priming it and there is oil flow through the filter feed.
Yup i pre-filled the oil filter.
I'll see if I can find the bullet and try that.

[bmcecosse]

It does need a decent battery - and you do have the spark plugs out ?? Jump leads from a running car are a good idea too.

[liirge]

Like I said in the first post I'am using a tractor battery...its going to have far more power than your standard car battery
and yes plugs are out! spins over nice and quickly, starter motor got pretty hot though.

[minimender]

It is primed 100 percent I spent ages priming it and there is oil flow through the filter feed.
Yup i pre-filled the oil filter.
I'll see if I can find the bullet and try that.

Dont want to worry you but the oil pick up pipe is ok and not partially blocked is it..