Help! No Oil Pressure!

[Big Green Bird]

Ok, here's the story. I went to replace the timing cover, timing set, and oil pump on a 3.8L camaro. The timing cover came from a junkyard, the oil pump and timing set were brand new. The oil filter adaptor was removed from the old timing cover and installed on the new timing cover, but I forgot to check the pressure regulator. After assembly, there is no oil pressure. Could it be the pressure regulator? What else could I check?

[crushedout]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Is there pressure when you give it gas? When my oil pressure regulator sensor went out it was 0 psi but if I gave it gas there would be pressure.

[CDNFB]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Why did you change your oil pump? Low pressure?

Have a close look at your re-assembly and make sure everything is put back together properly.

[3.8L Strong]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

If you replaced your oil pump, did you pack the oil pump gears and cavity with vaseiline. If you did not, the engine won't start because the oil pump lost it's prime. This happened to me when I installed my first Chevy 3.8 V-6 in my 2002 PT Cruiser. The engine was sitting for about 1 year and 6 months before I was able to start it up. By that time, the oil pump lost it's prime. One last effort that you can try before you take everything off is, pour in about 8 to 9 quarts of engine oil in your oil pan. The oil will soak into the oil pump cavity. You may get the oil pump prime back that way. If it starts up, be sure to drain out the oil to the 5 quart limit right away. Let me know if it works, it did for me. Good luck, Tommy.

[CDNFB]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

....the oil pump lost it's prime.

Good point.

[Big Green Bird]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

There is no pressure when i give it gas - although I only tried for a second. The sensor was working before I started the job. I replaced the pump because I was already replacing the timing set, and the oil pump was only $15.

I did pack the pump cavity with vasoline, but it was a REALLY hot day and it kept melting. I'll try the *ssload of oil method, sounds MUCH easier than pulling the whole thing apart again.

[3.8L Strong]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

I would strongly suggest you install an oil pressure gauge. I used the mechanical type with the plastic tubing. I removed the stock oil pressure sensor and installed additional plumming in that port with a "T" fitting to support the new gauge fittings as well as the stock sensor. This way you will know for sure if you have the correct oil pressure or not. The oil pressure should build up after 15 to 20 seconds of turning over the engine. I had to crank my engine over for 15 to 20 seconds at a time for about 3 tries. The oil pressure finally started to build after that. Get the gauge, it will be worth the money, believe me. I read about adding the additional oil in a forum for Cadillac's. There was a guy who had the same problem, however, he ended up adding 13 quarts of oil to get his engine oil prime back. Once you pick up the oil pressure, shut down the engine immediately and drain the additional oil out right away. Don't run the engine for an extended period of time with that much oil. There is a spring and small little piston on the inside of the passenger side of the timing chain cover assembly I think it was. You will have to remove the oil filter adaptor to get at it. Make sure that the passage way is clean, clear and that the piston moves in and out freely. This is very important as well. If that piston is jammed in there, you won't get any oil pressure. You can view my fittings set-up at this link: http://www.mypicshare.com/mys8cudnpic.html The fitting that is exposed is where I installed the stock oil pressure sensor. Good luck, Tommy.


Good luck, Tommy.

[chevy the kid]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Hi, i have the same problem but i don't know if it'easy to change the oil pump. Does it's more easy to change just the regulator?

Thanks

[3.8L Strong]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Send me your email address. I'll send you the instructions for the removal and installation process. Send your email address to:
Chevyone@hawaii.rr.com It's not that hard. You will need a puller for the crankshaft pulley. Good luck, Tommy.

[Big Green Bird]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Alright, I'm at wits end. After adding 15 quarts of oil, I still couldn't build pressure. I pulled the oil filter adaptor and checked the regulator - it moves just fine. Then, I pulled the timing cover again, re-packed the oil pump with vasoline (this time it didn't melt), double-checked everything, and put it back together. It STILL won't build oil pressure. I thought the sending unit might be defective, but I can hear ticking pretty loud, and nothing comes out if I leave the oil cap off. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Kronic Budz]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

wait, u said u added 15 quarts of motor oil!!

[Big Green Bird]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

I added 15 quarts and started it for a second. I still had no oil pressure, so I drained all of the oil, pulled the timing cover, repacked the oil pump cavity, and put it back together. It has the proper amount of oil in it right now.

[CDNFB]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

For a new pump not to produce pressure...

There has to be something wrong with the build up or installation of the pump that's either causing the pressure to be bled off at some huge rate, or the something is preventing uptake of the oil into the pump. You've either installed something backwards, incorrectly, or something is missing. Is the oil pickup installed properly?

I would yet again re-confirm the installation with extreme predjudice, then I would hook up a pressure gauge to confirm actual pressures.

[Big Green Bird]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Where is the oil pickup? I don't recall seeing it.

[CDNFB]

Re: Help! No Oil Pressure!

Just noticed you responded....yesterday. Sorry about not getting back to you.

I haven't done an oil pump change (on this engine) yet, and hopefully I never will, so I'll have to go home and look a manual, unless someone else chimes in here.

In the deepest part of the oil pan, nearest the flywheel, is where the oil pickup inlet is. It is a disc with a filter screen installed. Attached to that will be an tube that runs forward to the oil pump. Now, here is the part that I have to check into, that oil pickup tube connects to the oil pump housing, either on the backside, or lower side of the pump. The question that needs to be answered is, when you change the pump, do you have to disconnect the oil pickup tube, or is there a chance that the oil tube can become disconnected when you remove the pump, and when you put the pump back in the tube didn't get re-connected?