I have had fairly good luck priming the turbo and newer engines by packing the oil pump with Vaseline, but only if the engine is disassembled so you can pack the front cover passages as well as the pump itself.
One time my GN lost prime due to changing some parts. I packed the oil pump with the engine in place and it didn’t work. Out of desperation I came up with a method I have not seen anywhere.
Tools needed: Air compressor with a pressure regulator set to 20 lbs. If you don’t have a regulator, but have a large tank, build up 20 lbs and shut off the compressor. Next you need a small blow gun and 1 inch long piece of rubber hose. If you can’t find a piece of hose the right diameter to create a seal between the tip of the blow gun and the dipstick tube, wrap some electrical tape around the tip of the blow gun to make a seal with the dipstick tube.
First disconnect the orange wire next to the battery so the engine can’t start. Remove the dipstick and insert the blowgun into the tube firmly. Have a friend turn the key and watch the oil pressure gauge. Have him or her turn the key and crank the engine the exact instant you pressurize the pool of oil in the pan. In 2 or 3 seconds you should have primed the pump by forcing oil up the pickup tube.
Perhaps less than 20 lbs will work but I wanted instant prime and I released the pressure quickly. I have not damaged any seals or gaskets at 20 lbs. I have tried it several times without packing the pump or spinning the distributer shaft. Appreciate your comments.
One time my GN lost prime due to changing some parts. I packed the oil pump with the engine in place and it didn’t work. Out of desperation I came up with a method I have not seen anywhere.
Tools needed: Air compressor with a pressure regulator set to 20 lbs. If you don’t have a regulator, but have a large tank, build up 20 lbs and shut off the compressor. Next you need a small blow gun and 1 inch long piece of rubber hose. If you can’t find a piece of hose the right diameter to create a seal between the tip of the blow gun and the dipstick tube, wrap some electrical tape around the tip of the blow gun to make a seal with the dipstick tube.
First disconnect the orange wire next to the battery so the engine can’t start. Remove the dipstick and insert the blowgun into the tube firmly. Have a friend turn the key and watch the oil pressure gauge. Have him or her turn the key and crank the engine the exact instant you pressurize the pool of oil in the pan. In 2 or 3 seconds you should have primed the pump by forcing oil up the pickup tube.
Perhaps less than 20 lbs will work but I wanted instant prime and I released the pressure quickly. I have not damaged any seals or gaskets at 20 lbs. I have tried it several times without packing the pump or spinning the distributer shaft. Appreciate your comments.
