We got the motor started right up with a base map from Joe at LoCash Racing but the OIL light came on and we shut it off and tried to figure out what could have caused it:



-we drained the oil and refilled/new filter

-checked the oil pick up and its there

-brand new oil pump

-checked oil sensor and its working (we actually just removed it, light turned off, put it back on and light turned back on)

-cleaned out drain line

-installed oil pressure gauge



Started motor back up and still oil light is on immediately shut off, zero pressure on oil gauge



What could it be? This is real bad…I spend over 3500 on this block! ERL Built the whole thing….


OIL LIGHT COMES ON!! Oil Pressure gauge read at zero oil pressure!!

-changed oil and filter, checked for oil pick up (there), NEW type R oil pump---all done before startup also made sure to crank without distributor to build oil pressure for 20secs


WTF!! What just happened? What would cause this?

 

seen something like this...the oil pickup was on the motor BUT...there was no gasket between the pick up flange and the pump...check that...sorry i cannot be of more help

 

first off is this a B K or H motor. my guess is something was forgotten to be plugged off and hence bleeding off all oil pressure...my guess Oil squirter, oil plug something of that nature..i wouldn't think i has anything to do with bearings if they are brand new...

 

What about the oil fittings in the head?

 

Sounds like what someone already stated. That little gasket between the oil pickup and the oil pump. I know that will have these symptoms.

 

there are some ports on the girdle of D-series cars that when the ports not pluged it wont make oil pressure.. "coughGREGcough"

pull the pan and take a look around I am sure its something simple ERL does some pretty top notch work IMO..
-Sam

 

ok we will drop the oil pan and check the gasket...thanks everyone!!!


keep the ideas coming please! I am FREAKING OUT!!!

 

Thanks that is very helpful!

We will check this right now !

 

Its a B16a with the Superdeck II from ERL

 

sorry but what do you mean? cough cough LOL

Could the girdle from ERL be bad? They did put a 5point main girdle on...

 

I would check also check for the O-ring that goes in between the oil pump and the side of the block, it on the top right. Also under #3 cam cap do you have the small dowel and o-ring that goes under that on the head? Also on the block, theres a fitting that goes in on top of the block in between cylinder #2 and #3. (Look at the picture)

Sometimes when they go to sleeve the block, they take that orifice out. I had that happen once.

Good luck man

 

Did you pull the plugs and injector plugs and crank the engine over until you had oil pressure to prime the system ?

Before you started it?

 

A 20 sec prime isnt enough. Some times it takes a min. or more. Never start an engine until you SEE oil pressure.

 

Billy from Import Autoworks ONLY primed it for 20sec....HE said that was enough. I just got off the phone with Sean from ERL and he was very helpful and made me feel much better about the whole thing...just the fact that he called today is a great indication to their customer service. He mentioned if this does not work to call back again tomorrow.

He said the same thing to keep crancking it over until we see pressure. To remove the filter and fill with oil again along with the VC until we see oil come up to the head. He said it can take up to 20-30min? wow that is a long time...I am glad they use a lot of assembly lube! LOL He said not to worry about the motor that it is fine. I will follow up after we go thru everything!

Thanks! keep the ideas coming...I hope this is just a speed bump to my build,,,one for the memory books!

 

sometimes the oil pump can become air locked and you will have to force oil into it before it will make oil pressure you can get one if the suction guns for oil and change the hose on it to force feed the pump while turning over on the engine by hand. that should take care of the problem.

 

20-30 minutes sounds like an awful long time to me.

 

+1 -- Did you do this?

 

It usually take about a 1-2 minutes to prime the system with oil. Do make sure you fill the oil filter with oil before installing it onto the block. The 5pt girdle will have nothing to do with the engine not priming. Like stated above make sure there is a gasket between the pickup and the oil pump. This is something that is easily forgotten. Is the oil pickup a new or used one, if it's used make sure it clean and isn't clogged. I hope this helps, if any issues call Sean or feel free to PM me.

 

Since this is a Superdeck II- ERL machined a deckplate onto the block so i wouldnt be able to tell if this that you mentioned: "Also under #3 cam cap do you have the small dowel and o-ring that goes under that on the head? Also on the block, theres a fitting that goes in on top of the block in between cylinder #2 and #3. "

 

Another thing that i am thinking could have caused this is the piston oil squirters...???

My mechanic/boy said that with the LS crank they would hit...so he says that they are removed and therefore should have been plugged? Is this correcT? i dont know crap....I know LS blocks dont have squirters only B16/B18c's but i know a lot of people run ls cranks...

The filter is getting oil to it...when my mechanic took it off it poured oil.

 

probally forgot the oil orifice

 

removing the squirters would actually increase oil pressure, provided that the orifice is plugged.

 

if the block oil orifice was left out, it will still get 40-60psi of oil press. I know for a fact. i done it

 

Dude. If it deals with cars or girls, you will be like everyone else. Plagued with problems

On a side note, does ERL remember if they put the oil squirter eliminators in?

 

If you leave out the one internal oil plug in the head, it will still register oil pressure, but it'll be 1/3 less than normal. I've done that one before.

If you leave out any of the external plugs, it's going to pour oil out.