My engine has been running well. Lots of oil pressure (40-50psi). My gauge is mechanical autometer not the unreliable stock sender.

I can see the oil build into the line but doesn't really build any pressure. There is lots of oil in the block and no leaks that I can see.

I've read about checking the o-rings under the filter and checking the key on the pump but really don't want to pull the front cover to find out there is something more obvious to check first....

Anyone have any ideas of what to check that's outside of the block?

Thanks in advance...

 

I should add that it is a '87 N/A motor with 88 electronics and injectors. And there is a buzzer going off and it isn't the low coolant. There is no idiot light, just a dead oil gauge on the cluster.

 

Could that be a Low Oil warning buzzer?

 

That's what I assume. I thought that there would be an idiot light or something to go along with it! The dead gauge is because I have removed the sender and placed the autometer gauge instead!

 

*doh* lets not check oil! haha

you can check the oil cooler lines? but i think it might be obvious if its leaking from there...
if the gauge is accurate - next place to check would be the front cover oring...

 

Yeah! I checked the oil haha. There is lots in the pan and the filter is now dry.

I really didn't want to but I guess i will have to pull the front cover.

 

Check the o ring between the block and front cover im on my 6th oring and i think my last

 

The filter is DRY?!

Disconnect the oil cooler line from the front cover and crank the engine, but do not start it.

If oil does not squirt out, you need to pull the front cover to find one of the following:

1. Thoroughly destroyed front cover o-ring
2. Sheared oil pump sprocket key.
3. Broken oil pump drive chain.

Probably in that order.

 

Ok. I will have to check that.

I have no idea what I'm looking for but I will find out!! Seems the consensus is the o-ring.

 

1) front cover o-ring was good. gasket was also good. (replaced o-ring)
2) sprocket key in good shape. Solid. Couldn't get it to skip.
3) chain in good shape.

Didn't check the oil cooler line but the filter has lots of oil in it. Oil builds into my oil pressure line. No pressure on the gauge. Am going to try and find a second gauge to check that.

Now my oil injection pump doesnt pump so I am going pull the front cover again (yay!) and check the little hole to see if I plugged it with RTV.

All i can say is boo-erns!

 

Wait, now you are saying some different. First you said the filter was dry, now you are saying that there is oil present.

So which is it and what exactly is the problem besides a potentially broken gauge?

 

Sorry It was a then and now comment. The oil filter was dry. Now it has oil in it after i swapped the front cover o-ring. still no pressure.

I'm going to acquire a new pressure gauge come Monday and swap it to see if it is the gauge.

 

now that you took the front cover off
did you have the clutch depressed the whole time?
if not...

 

dude those autometer oil pressure sending units are complete ****, I have had two fail. that should've been the first thing to check. They may read a little more accurate than stock but the stock ones don't fail every 10-20k miles

 

I was a little lazy on getting the gauge. Now I have a replacement and will try it this evening.

I am a somewhat annoyed at myself for not double checking the mechanical autometer first. Live and learn I suppose.