Oil pump problems ? - what have I done?

Hi All

Justattempted to carry out a service on the engine (1.8 DX 1991) - car perviously running fine - been for a run to warm up the oil, engine sounding perfectly normal.

Dropped the oil, changed the oil filter, refitted sump plug, fitted new filter (filled with fresh oil), refilled engine with new 10/40 semi-synthetic oil up to max level, started car ……….

I expect a few seconds of rattling before the oil recirculates, but it is rattling like there is no oil in it, red light flashing (but no buzzer) and will not stop flashing, even after a couple of minutes and engine continues to sound like a can of marbles!!!!!!!

Started the engine several times - still the same.

Changed the oil many times over the years - never had this before - it is as if the oil pump has just died or is blocked or could it be on its way out and has allowed the oil to drain from it and will now not self prime……   

Thoughts please ?

oh dear! that does not sound good, remove the filter and replace.
I would also suggest cutting it open for an inspection. If it contains any metallic particles you will at the very least have to replace the con rod bearings (big ends) but I would suggest a new oil pump.
What make is the oil filter?

It is possible that the oil pump has died but start with the filter and work from there.
It certainly doesnt sound like its your fault but rather "sods law" im afraid
good luck

Whip the oil pressure switch out and start it up, if there is oil blasting out of the hole it has oil pressure.

hi there mate sorry to hear this,I had exactly the same with my gti oil pump failed when i changed oil and had to replace pump and bottom end bearings, not good,not sure of the science behind this either :evil:  :cry:
hope yours is ok

Don't fill the filter with engine oil, you'll create an airlock that the oil pump can't overcome. Hopefully you can remove your new filter, empty the oil out of it, put it back and you've not trashed the engine bearings from trying too much without any oil flowing around it.

tubbett said

it is s*** news
Something which helps is to prefill the oil filter

He did this (its in the original post)…..and its what's causing the problem.

ah yes, just seen that!
Surprised it would be causing the problem, but then i am used to working with much larger oil pumps, learn something new everyday

Hi gents - thanks for your advice - in the mean time….

In utter despiration and on the basis that it certainly isn't driveable like this Iwhipped the sump off and removed and stripped the oil pump.

Before that the gause was fairly clear withthe exception of a piece of grit 3mm across stuck to it ?!  in the sump there was probably enough other pieces sat at low point (where the oil pick up sits) they are orangey brown in colour and sange from small particles to 3 or 4 mm across. - was all this blocking the pick up?? - non of this was metalic

The pump particulars are as follows:-   

Play (backlash) between the two gears is 0.15mm max - can't get 0.2mm in between the gears.

End float less that 0.1mm.

while its off - I tried to see if it will pump oil so did two tests - with the pick up in container full of oil I drained out of the sump:-

1. primed the pump and and then turned the shaft by hand - it works. I then lifted the pump up and over a minute or so the oil drianed back into the container.

2. without priming - pick up submersed and again turned the shaft - after a few seconds - it again pulled oil through and out of the top of the pump.

I will now, prime the pump bolt it back on and reasemble the sump fill with oil and then remove the filter (GSF by the way) and empty it and whip out the oil presure sender on the side of the head and report back before stripping more bits.

Sincere thanks for your advice.

more later…………….

Hi All

Did as set out in last post and turned the key with fingers crossed. The engine did what I would normally expect after an oil change, a few seconds of flashing oil light, together with a bit of a rattle.

A bit tapety for a minute or so but then seemed to settled down when warmed up.

Took it for a gentle 5 miles and all OK for now.

Not exactly what I had hoped to get done today………….time for a beer or two.   

Thanks for all your help …………….and fingers crossed we will be at the AGM - search us out I'd like to put faces to names.

Rivage5

yeah if you leave the sump drained for too long the pump will drain, and when its empty it will really struggle to prime up again. if you have the pump off or need to prime it for whatever reason a tip is fill the pump with oil then block the pickup with vaseline to prevent it draining out.

when ive done this i have managed prime the pump then quickly fit it and the sump if ive not had any vaseline to hand

Hi rubjonny

Thanks once again for you comments - I had searched the forum for similar posts and seen your advice on the subject previously.  I went for the prime it and as quickly as poss refit the sump but from the 2 tests I carried with the pump off the car it seemed to draw oil up even if all the oil had drained back into the sump but as others had suggested (although) a difference of opinion - I drained the oil filter so that (in my logic) it had noting to push when first started. - it seemed to work….

Thankfully (fingers crossed) all curently seems quiet for now. I drove it to work yesterday and will again today.

thanks once agian for your help - it is always appreciated.

regards

the one i had wouldnt draw up any oil until i put some in the top, maybe because it was a brand new one or a 2.0 8v one which is bigger? whatever its all fixed now thats the important thing!