No oil pressure on new cossie N/A build. Im stimped.

**fingersnfumbs** · 05-02-2022, 13:39

So recently built and never run.

On cranking I have zero oil pressure.
A bit of background:

The distributor is fitted and going round.
Engine is filed with 3.75lrs of oil.
Oil pressure gauge has been tested and is working fine.
Distributor/ oil pump drive is fitted.
I packed the pump with grease before fitting.
Oil pump is brand new.
Strainer and sump rs2000 also both new.

Im completely stumped.
Any thoughts or ideas most welcome.

**Graham** · 05-02-2022, 14:04

assuming, the oil strainer is bolted tight to the pump and the gasket is the right way round, then most likely someone has forgotten to fit the oil gallery core plugs which are located behind the aux shaft cover

**fingersnfumbs** · 05-02-2022, 15:09

Thanks Graham,
Can I get to the gallery plugs with the engine built up do you know?

**fingersnfumbs** · 05-02-2022, 15:16

Also, thinking about it when I put a drill onto the oil pump drive with an old Distributor drive oil bubbled up a fair bit from the big dizzy hole. Could that be an Indication?

Would it not leak oil from somewhere if the gallery plug/s where missing?

**Graham** · 05-02-2022, 17:39

Originally Posted by fingersnfumbs

Also, thinking about it when I put a drill onto the oil pump drive with an old Distributor drive oil bubbled up a fair bit from the big dizzy hole. Could that be an Indication?

Would it not leak oil from somewhere if the gallery plug/s where missing?

if the gallery plugs are missing you would not see it as they are behind the aux shaft cover, the oil would simply flow straight back to the sump

**Graham** · 05-02-2022, 17:40

Originally Posted by fingersnfumbs

Thanks Graham,
Can I get to the gallery plugs with the engine built up do you know?

yes but you would have to remove the timing belt, aux shaft pulley and the oil seal carrier first

**fingersnfumbs** · 05-02-2022, 17:48

Thanks Graham.
Just checked and both plugs are in place.

Tried again with a drill, really hard to turn pump at any speed but now oil pressure is a good 60psi. Oil is flowing up to cams etc now.
Really noisey and bubbly though, squelches for a fair while even after I remove the drill,
Oil is almost emulsified its so bubbly.

Still very low oil pressure when cranked on starter.

Im almost 100% I would have put the gasket on the right way on the pick-up.

All very strange.

**Graham** · 05-02-2022, 18:10

the noises are normal.

60 psi is about right on a drill

how much oil pressure are you seeing on the starter? you wont see much, maybe 20 psi if you keep going a long while

**fingersnfumbs** · 05-02-2022, 22:28

The guage is hardly moving on cranking but that is with trhe plugs in so its not cranking very fast, especially with 11:1 compression ratio.

I must say though I was suprised just how much it takes to get an oil pump turning with a drill.
Im an oil burner Engineer and boiler oil pumps turn over easy, much thinner oil though to be fair.
Perhaps I shouldnt worry so much and just get it started?

**katana** · 06-02-2022, 14:35

Originally Posted by fingersnfumbs

Im an oil burner Engineer and boiler oil pumps turn over easy, much thinner oil though to be fair.

And not stuffed full of grease either LOL!

**fingersnfumbs** · 06-02-2022, 15:22

Originally Posted by katana

And not stuffed full of grease either LOL!

Fair point!

**Graham** · 06-02-2022, 17:37

i never fill a pinto pump with grease, only rover v8 pumps. spun up with a drill they spin easily, but you really do notice the dril kick back at you once pressure comes up.

cranking on starter with plugs in and 11;1 cr wil show very little oil pressure