New Motor Prime Up Problems

[manage13]

Hi everyone,

This weekend passed, Adam (WetGTR) and I proceeded to end weeks of waiting and start my freshly built motor (RB26). The motor was built by what some people call a reputable performance company (the name will be withheld for now).

Before going the full hack and starting the motor Adam recommended that we get some oil circulating threw the engine to avoid any harm that may occur on initial start up. Removing the spark plugs we turned the key over for short 10 second spurts over a period of 45 minutes. Even after an hour no oil pressure registered on my oil pressure gauge.

Due to the circumstance of not registering oil pressure Adam undertook some visible checks to see if oil was circulating to the head, oil filter and oil sender. Upon inspection no oil was noticed in the oil filter (not a spec), no oil was noticed circulating to the head and when the oil sender was removed no oil was coming out at the point (when motor was cranked).

My question to the general public and particularly those of you whom have started a freshly built motor is:

1. Did you have the same problem as I am having with oil pressure?

2. How did you prime you engine?

3. Is it ok to just start the motor up skipping the initial prime up process?

4. Does anyone know (or have an idea) what the problem is?

Some additional info: The pick up has been modified to fit to the bottom of enlarged sump. Sum/ pick up is not an issue unless the engine builder forgot to put the pick up on.

(Also did a search on this forum and read Cruiseliners 2.7 thread no info there).

I’m thanking everyone in advance and I appreciate any help that anyone may provide.

[Cubes]

My question to the general public and particularly those of you whom have started a freshly built motor is:

1. Did you have the same problem as I am having with oil pressure?

No

2. How did you prime you engine?

Simply cranked it over until the oil pressure light went out. ~20secs, felt as if I was going to damage the starter motor it was cranking for so long, battery was almost flat.

3. Is it ok to just start the motor up skipping the initial prime up process?

Speak to the engine builder, tell him what you have done, not a sign of oil is a worry.

4. Does anyone know (or have an idea) what the problem is?

Nope, apart from what you have suggested.

Try over filling it, drop 15litres in to it in an attempt to bring the oil level up with the oil pump, maybe the air vacuum in the pump isn't enough to suck the oil up.

[manage13]

Thanks for that cubes, I appreciate the advice.

I notified the engine builder on Monday. I want to use them as the last resort however I won’t go starting it unless I'm 100% sure. I think you might be on the money regarding the oil pump not being primed (I doubt that it has been). I will pour more oil in.

Once again Cubes thanks for the info.

[R31Nismoid]

Personally i'd be talking to the builder more so, and be using them.

If something is wrong then they wont honour their work really if you have taken the motor away yourself and attempted any number of things.

If its cranking in the car, then i'd ship the car down to them.

Might cost a bit more, but then they are at fault if something gets shagged

Anyway

As cubes said, oil level could be an issue with the sump being enlarged

[CruiseLiner]

if u have a remote filter setup i just poured oil down the in pipe to the oil filter sandwich plate and it virtually forces it into the oil pump, as at the moment u will have an air lock, which u need abit of oil in the pump to let it start sucking it up. i left the oil line off and cranked it and wait for oil to start coming out. or take off the turbo oil feed and check oil is coming out when cranking.

good luck mate

Brad

[Cubes]

Did I say 15litres.... lol. Probably a bit too much.

I'm definitely with R31Nismoid on this.

[Bl4cK32]

u did put oil in it?

[Denver]

went through this myself, heres how i got around it..

poured 7-8 litres of oil into the motor

jacked the back of the car up as high as it will go

removed the oil pressure sender from the filter mount and fed oil into it using an oil can and a length of hose

reverse cranked the motor by hand, in an effort to suck the oil backwards from the oil filter/mount

it then built up pressue, a number of things like filling the filter mount and revserve cranking didn't proove fruitful, but this combination of things did..

before you fire it up once you have pressure, be sure to drain any excess oil out, i just removed my turbo feed line and cranked it over until id taken the excess out...

took me about an hour to resolve it, and i can assure you, it was a long hour, that'll learn me for not packing the oil pump with vasoline..

that said, another friend kicked his rebuilt 26 over not long after and same thing, it got oil pressure when he fired it tho after a couple of seconds, so im guessing the vacum created by the pump when running was enough to suck the oil up..

[manage13]

Brad thanks for the advice about pouring oil down remote oil filter pipe. It was the exact advice Greg from Proengines gave me. I’m going to try this method in the next few days. Cheers!

Bl4cK32, yes I did pour oil in. Over 10L and it only registered as full on my dip stick.

Denver, thanks for the advice champ. I will implement your methods as well as Brad’s methods and see if it helps my situation. Thanks for the in-depth advice!

Ash, Cubes (sorry to be rude cubes, don’t know your name) I totally agree with you. I should get my engine builder to take a look at it. In fact I did give them a call on Monday and explained the situation. They offered to pay for the tow and have a look at it. But having had my motor (fully dismantled and in boxes out of the car) there waiting for my engine build for 9 months (2 months of which were not their fault) and having getting it back less some parts as well as loose parts from other peoples cars makes me very apprehensive about taking my car/motor back there. Believe me when I say this; I am genuinely sacred to take it back!

Maybe I should have practiced what I preach in recent times, and “taken the car to Racepace”.

As I said previously, if I can use everyone’s advice and get oil pressure that will be great but if I don’t I’ll resort to having my car towed to my engine builder.

Thank you all for taking the time and giving me advice. I will take everything discussed into consideration on my next attempt.

[CruiseLiner]

no worries mate good luck with it

[manage13]

Oil pressure problem sorted. Denver and CruiseLiner were on the money.

Thanks for the advice everybody!