Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 17:41:53 -0800
Reply-To: Tobin Copley <tcopley@SFU.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tobin Copley <tcopley@SFU.CA>
Subject: Re: Now what have I done.... Flashing oil light??
In-Reply-To: <4B92F658.6090305@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Not at all sure about the design of that pump (I have a diesel), but
is it possible the pump has lost it's prime?
Pull the pressure sender and crank the motor. If oil gushes out the
hole, you have pressure; if not you don't, and may have a priming
problem.
Hope this helps,
T.
On 2010-03-06, at 4:42 PM, Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA> wrote:
> Hi Volks,
>
> I spent what I thought would be a productive day out in the driveway
> and
> was able to solve the leaking oil pump cover.
>
> As it turned out, the pump cover gasket had come apart and there was a
> section missing from one side of it, which was probably the cause of
> the
> leak. But I also noticed a sizeable smear of galled metal embedded in
> the pump cover that had come from one of the pump gears. Not a good
> sign.
>
> Now, as it happens I do have a pair of surplus 1.9L longblocks here
> awaiting teardown and disposal. So I pulled the oil pump out of each
> of
> them and compared it to the one from my van... One cover plate was
> only
> slightly better, the other was near perfect. So I opted to install the
> near perfect one, along with the pump itself.
>
> I fished a fresh cover plate gasket out of my spares pile and set to
> getting it all back together. As usual, getting the exhaust back in
> place was pretty frustrating, but eventually I was able to get it all
> back together, top off the fluids and turn the key.
>
> It's ticking like it has a sad lifter. No worries, that will pump up
> and
> go away soon enough. It's also steaming a lot as the spilled coolant
> burns off the exhaust pipes. But then I notice the flashing oil
> light on
> the dash, and I shut down the engine.
>
> Turn the key to ON, and the light flashes. Start the engine, and it
> still flashes; it doesn't go away with more RPMs.
>
> I double-check the pressure sender wiring, and it's intact. Kind of a
> longshot, as I never touched it today and it was fine yesterday. I
> suspect something might be wrong with this oil pump; though I can't
> imagine what. I didn't have oil pressure problems with the donor motor
> before it was pulled, and the gears and plate looked to be in better
> condition than what I had. But this is new territory for me, and there
> might be more to this than I expected.
>
> I checked the archives and don't see anything directly relating to
> this.
>
> I have an VDO oil pressure gauge set-up attached to my baywindow
> van; I
> am thinking that tomorrow I will remove the sender and intall it on
> the
> vanagon and see what's really happening back there.
>
> If anyone here has any helpful advice I'd REALLY appreciate it.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> Toronto, Ontario Canada
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
> www.busesofthecorn.com
> www.pottsfamily.ca
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