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Re: Priming the oil pump through the relief valve?
the a65 oil pump issues have been around a long, long... long time. Before jumping off the deep end making expensive repairs we might want to ask how many if any failures have actually occurred in whole or in part due to oil prime loss issues. I could be off the mark but I'm thinking none. Loss of prime on these engines is not necessarily an indication of excessive wear. the oil pump is not a good design to start with and the distance from the pump to the oil in the tank is relatively far (more head to deal with). The is no seal on the pump cover and a tiny leak here is all that is required for the pump to drain back into the oil tank (because air can leak in past the cover).
These motors will run quite happily and safely through to overhaul complete with loss of prime, but all the normal indicators remain valid, investigate low oil pressure, check the screen regularly for signs of trouble, oil analysis if you need more comfort.
Originally posted by drude
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Hi Garry and all,
It will take a lot of oil as you say and some pressure as well.
That's because the path is up hill to the front of the engine and to get oil up the hill and back to the pump you have to contend with oil losses from the main bearings, can bearings and rod bearings.
My point is that simply removing the plunger and squirting an oil can in there is not going to do it.
BTW this is an interesting discussion.
No intention to insult or offend anyone but I suspect that the discussion is ripe with misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, mistaken cause and effect, poorly defined terms, sloppy language, multiple scenarios that are being confused as one and all that kind of stuff. Well for not intending to offend I probably covered all of us!
But the bottom line for me is that you guys that are having these problems you should consider whether an engine that can't self start its own oil pressure is in a condition for safe operation. That is part of the definition of airworthy. I see engines that sit for months and then start up with good oil pressure, no messing around, that's how it is supposed to be. I don't think that an engine that has to have its oil system doctored up to get initial oil pressure is in a condition for safe operation and would not pass it for annual.
Regardless of all that please consider getting it fixed. A $800 oil pump will be cheaper than a stopped engine and the results it can bring.
I say $800 because ; gears/kit- $400, shop work on cavity $325, misc- $75
Dave
It will take a lot of oil as you say and some pressure as well.
That's because the path is up hill to the front of the engine and to get oil up the hill and back to the pump you have to contend with oil losses from the main bearings, can bearings and rod bearings.
My point is that simply removing the plunger and squirting an oil can in there is not going to do it.
BTW this is an interesting discussion.
No intention to insult or offend anyone but I suspect that the discussion is ripe with misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, mistaken cause and effect, poorly defined terms, sloppy language, multiple scenarios that are being confused as one and all that kind of stuff. Well for not intending to offend I probably covered all of us!
But the bottom line for me is that you guys that are having these problems you should consider whether an engine that can't self start its own oil pressure is in a condition for safe operation. That is part of the definition of airworthy. I see engines that sit for months and then start up with good oil pressure, no messing around, that's how it is supposed to be. I don't think that an engine that has to have its oil system doctored up to get initial oil pressure is in a condition for safe operation and would not pass it for annual.
Regardless of all that please consider getting it fixed. A $800 oil pump will be cheaper than a stopped engine and the results it can bring.
I say $800 because ; gears/kit- $400, shop work on cavity $325, misc- $75
Dave
These motors will run quite happily and safely through to overhaul complete with loss of prime, but all the normal indicators remain valid, investigate low oil pressure, check the screen regularly for signs of trouble, oil analysis if you need more comfort.
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