Weird Oil pressure problem

s80lovenhate · Post by **s80lovenhate** » 25 Feb 2009, 20:16

OK, here are the facts:

Did the timing belt 100 miles ago (maybe less)
On way to airport (fun) got the no oil pressure, stop safely message
Had car towed to mechanic
Mechanic pulled pan, put in kit for pick up tube seals
Engine had a lot of sludge, pick up tube clogged, cleaned out pan, used a flush on engine
changed oil again
also changed breather box
after ten miles got same message
put on independent oil pressure sensor, get 60 psi cold, zero when engine warms up
Mechanic is lost
Final piece of info, when doing timing belt, really had trouble getting main pulley off, probably dislodged sludge in the process
Ok you guys (and girls) got any idea other than putting ina new oil pump???

Thanks

drsugg · Post by **drsugg** » 25 Feb 2009, 20:51

Dose this engine have an oil cooler? I am trying to remember if there is a pressure relief volve on the oil line adaptor, mounted under the crank pully. If so, may have jammed relief valve prying pully off. Anyone know for sure?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 26 Feb 2009, 09:09

s80lovenhate wrote:OK, here are the facts:

Did the timing belt 100 miles ago (maybe less)
On way to airport (fun) got the no oil pressure, stop safely message
Had car towed to mechanic
Mechanic pulled pan, put in kit for pick up tube seals
Engine had a lot of sludge, pick up tube clogged, cleaned out pan, used a flush on engine
changed oil again
also changed breather box
after ten miles got same message
put on independent oil pressure sensor, get 60 psi cold, zero when engine warms up
Mechanic is lost
Final piece of info, when doing timing belt, really had trouble getting main pulley off, probably dislodged sludge in the process
Ok you guys (and girls) got any idea other than putting ina new oil pump???

Thanks

It sounds like the pressure relief valve is stuck partially open. So when the oil is cold and more viscous only a small portion is relieved, and when the oil gets hot and less viscous more is relieved and the pressure drops to zero.

You can try a much thicker oil, maybe 20w50 or a can of STP and see what results you get from that. If you still maintain some pressure when the oil is hot, then you can run a cleaner like http://www.auto-rx.com to get the sludge out of the engine.

s80lovenhate · Post by **s80lovenhate** » 26 Feb 2009, 20:49

OK, I HAVE TWO MECHANICS WEIGHING IN

Number 1. Get a new engine

Number 2. replace oil pump since the likely cause is the oil pressure regulating valve that is sticking

Thoughts anyone??