No oil pressure

[rob350]

My 85 GN sat without running for years and Im finally trying to start it. The only light that comes on when I first turn on the key is the SES light, so I think most of my idiot lights are dead. I unhooked what I think is the oil feed line on the top of the turbo, (really easy to get to) and when I crank the motor, no oil comes out. The directions on the board for priming the oil pump mostly seem to be toward the 86-87 cars. How do I go about priming a hotair car since I dont have an oil cooler. I always thought you primed a new oil pump, not from just sitting. My dad also said he never heard of an oil pump loosing its prime either.


thanks,

Rob

 

[Jerryl]

My 85 GN sat without running for years and Im finally trying to start it. The only light that comes on when I first turn on the key is the SES light, so I think most of my idiot lights are dead. I unhooked what I think is the oil feed line on the top of the turbo, (really easy to get to) and when I crank the motor, no oil comes out. The directions on the board for priming the oil pump mostly seem to be toward the 86-87 cars. How do I go about priming a hotair car since I dont have an oil cooler. I always thought you primed a new oil pump, not from just sitting. My dad also said he never heard of an oil pump loosing its prime either.

Many oil pumps have been recorded to loose their prime.
Was there a filter with the anti-drainback installed?
Priming is the same as on an 86-87. You MUST prime it to death to reduce any risk of premature mechanical failure.
Use a drill to prime it and use the EOS. Treat it as a fresh and rebuild motor that has never run before.

As fas as the idiot lights ....
Probably just a corroded connector to the dash lights.
Take note of this; If the charging light does not come on, (key on, engine off) you will have charging system throuble (Unless the car has the resistor in the idiot light plug)



Edit:
Good thread for some situational reference
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191943

 

[rob350]

the car had some quaker state oil filter on it. I guess I should of filled the new oil filter with oil. I read sometimes you have to prime the oil pump by rotating the motor the opposite direction and suck oil down the oil cooling line to prime the oil pump. I just know read the I can put oil down the turbo oil line to prime the pump. Should I just fill the oil filter full of oil and then try priming the motor?

Rob

 

[Jerryl]

the car had some quaker state oil filter on it. I guess I should of filled the new oil filter with oil. I read sometimes you have to prime the oil pump by rotating the motor the opposite direction and suck oil down the oil cooling line to prime the oil pump. I just know read the I can put oil down the turbo oil line to prime the pump. Should I just fill the oil filter full of oil and then try priming the motor?

I would personally not mess with the "put oil in the turbo tube" advice. If you get oil pressure (on a gage) by priming the pump with a drill, AND get it up to 20 -30PSI (15-20 seconds at a time), AND, rotate the engine 90 deg each time for a full 720, AND, use EOS with some 30W oil, AND, start the engine and treat it as a fresh motor (2000 - 2500 rpm for 20 min), AND, change the oil after the start-up, you will be ok AND ....... You will have greatly reduced any chance of "premature everything failure" such as; Bearing failures at the crank, rods, cam and turbo, flat lobe syndrome, etc. Trust me, it gets expensive and frustrating real quick if you do not do your homework.


I use the ACDelco PF52 filter.

 

[Turbo85]

getting oil pressure

How to prime your oil pump on all GN,s. This is what I did. I did not have any oil pressure when I fixed the rear main seal. What I did is take off your oil pump cover (where the filter is) and remove it from the motor. Take patrolum jelly and fill the gaps on the motor where the pump gears are (remove the gears and then press them back in the pump. Put the cover back on with new gasket(at any car parts), put oil and filter in and start motor... You will have oil pressure. I know this will work. Turbo85

 

[my85grandnation]

Ive always heard not to do the vaseline trick. I cant remember why but I was told its not a good idea.

 

[Turbo85]

oil pressure

Well I have done it twice because of my rear main seal and I have had no problems. I have the factory 85 manuals and yes you can buy a GM tool to use but they also give the patrolum gelly a thumbs up. It works with no problems. It is the mechanics right hand. You will be driving your car by the end of the day. Turbo85..

 

[rob350]

I packed the pump and got oil pressure. The car sounds like it runs pretty good with no knocks or ticks. It has a nasty exhaust leak under the car somewhere, and it seems to be leaking oil out somewhere on the passenger side while it is running. Alot more work to go, but atleast a feel like a moved a step.

Rob

 

[Turbo85]

oil pressure

Rob, sometimes the simple things are the cure. I am so glad you have oil pressure now Well any other questions that I can answer be my guest to ask. I have a 85GN with the same kind of problems you encounter. My e-mail address is koebear123@yahoo.com. Turbo85....

 

[jhef83]

I've done the vasoline trick also. Anybody know why it's not a good idea?

 

[zeus87gn]

When it's cold, it will gel somewhat within the oil that it is now mixed with. When it's warm, it will flow. It gets the pump primed and it doesn't hurt the motor (it is a lubricant), but don't leave it in there for long because it can keep the oil from flowing properly when cold.

In other words (maybe better words) - it will change the cold flow characteristcs of the oil in you pan and won't give you quite the lubrication you should have with straight oil.

Change your oil soon...like now.

Just in case anyone is worried with my comments, I did the same thing to to prime the pump on our still fcty built engine at 140k miles when I did the timing chain. Zeus still runs like a champ.