Preparation of engine for first start and run in...
Turbo Mini Forums

Edited by monsterob on 26th Nov, 2015.

Outside the box

if you crank it the oil pump is turning so should be providing oil pressure regardless of plugs being in or not

Outside the box

Yes, thats what I thought… not seeing any movement however. Any ideas??

is it mechanical or electronic?

Outside the box

Mechanical..

erm .... last one i fitted was electronic . where have you plumbed it in to ? has the line to the gages got any air trapped in it ? does it work ? i have so many times fitted items that actually dont work.

can you blow down the line to see if the needle moves ?

which oil pump did you fit theres been some pumps that have failed reported ........

did you put oil in ?
primed the oil filter ?

Outside the box

plumbed into front of block with a T piece, oil pressure switch and pipe for gauge coming out of it… engine is full of oil and filter was filled. Ill go out there now and blow down it.. don't know what pump, I didn't build it..

Ok, blew down the pipe… no movement… took pipe off, blew directly into the back, still no movement

do you have a bicycle pump and hose that fits on both the gauge and pump ? foot pump or other ....... you could do with something with a gauge or a compressor to check the gage works it may need somewhat more than a quick blow !

Outside the box

Have you got a light too? Is it going out? You should be able to hear if your getting oil pressure as the cranking speed of the engine will dip as it comes up to pressure, you will know if you have pressure regardless of the gauge really.

It can take quite a bit of cranking to get pressure the first time. If your not getting it after 30 seconds or so id try squirting some oil down into the pump to help it prime (take off the union at the top end of the block-oil filter pipe)

I do have a pump but not the correct fitting unfortunately.. I don't have the dash in yet so the light is not connected… Im gonna try get the dash in tomo so hopefully I can check that out.

So... the oil light on the dash will illuminate whilst cranking and then go out when the oil has reached the correct pressure?? Is that what you mean?

Hang on a sec… just been reading elsewhere… should I be cranking for 30 secs or so to get up some pressure? In fairness, I've only been cranking for 5-10 secs max at a time.

Yeah prime n crank it for longer... (or resist the impatient kid in you and finish it before starting )

It can take a while to get first oil pressure up. As said if the pump was installed dry with no grease or lube in then it will be a struggle. As suggested remove the top pipe, fill with oil then carefully turn the engine backwards a couple of revolutions so that oil gets back to the oil pump.
Then reassemble and try again.

Ok chaps, I'll try that. I had great plans to do it this afternoon but I've just been told I'm now going shopping. Marvellous. Women...

Yes It can take a while, I remember when I did mine, make sure the battery your using is nice and healthy so it doesn't die on you mid cranking!

Indeed.... I have a charger anyway for when I batter it.

To add to this thread, what AFR should I be looking for when holding it at 2k to bed the cam in?

Cheers

Anything will do, just make sure it isn't hugely rich to the point of making black smoke. 15+ years ago we didn't have wideband lambda gauges but managed OK!

Alright thanks Tom. Fingers crossed to get it running today :).

Well only a year on from the start of this thread and actually ready to start..

The only thing I do not have is a timing light.. is this essential for initial start and bedding in of cam? Or can it be tuned afterwards?

Not essential no.

do you think this base map is ok....?

yeah looks ok as a starting point

Ok well it looks like I'm on for a start today.. 🤞