Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) no oil pressure

About ready to start up a newly rebuilt TR-3. I added all the fluids yesterday, and wanted to pre-oil the engine by spinning the shaft with a drill -counter-clockwise, before you ask. I can not get oil pressure - the pump will not prime. Has anyone had this problem, or must I drain the oil and remove the sump pan for a look?

Hi Rick,

Might be worth a search on the TR Register forum, can you get oil back filled into the pump from the pressure release valve?

Link to one thread follows (albeit TR250!)

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/inde...amp;#entry68028

Malcolm T

Sometimes a problem with the Rover V8. If you have a cooler, determine the direction of flow, take the INLET pipe off the cooler and insert a funnel. Fill the funnel with oil, hold it as high as possible, and rotate the engine backwards by hand. This will suck the oil into the pump.

If no cooler, pack the oil pump with vaseline. In theory you may be able to get some oil into the pump through the relief valve but I'm not familiar with this engine. I would pop the relief valve out though to make sure there is no swarf on the seat.

I also agree with the use of vaseline in the oil pump, to get it primed. I have done this on several occasions.

I'm still troubleshooting this problem. I have run the pump several times, loosening the banjo fitting for the oil pressure gauge line ( at the oil filter adapter) - immediate oil. loosened the filter canister - immediate oil. I removed the filter, and ran the pump, but I still do not have oil at the valve train. Very strange. Today, I joined the Triumph register, so I can ask some questions there. I'll let you know how this turns out.

When I primed my Rover V8, it took a very long time to get oil at the rockers using a drill on the pump shaft. Loosen the pressure gauge union at the gauge end and bleed the line, then you might see presure on the gauge, but don't expect much with a drill.

It might just be OK Have you tried spinning it on the starter with the plugs out?

Otherwise a small air leak in the inlet pipe,gauze in the sump could be the cause. I had this once on an Essex V6 and the oil pressure was very lazy.

I got it. Bled the line to the gauge. Oiled the rocker shaft by using my oil can to pressure squirt oil into the small tap on the rear rocker pedestal. Ran the drill - got pressure at the gauge. I continued running the drill , and turned the engine over on the starter. Took a bit, but I got 50 PSI, and oil spurting from the rocker arms. Now on to the next challenge.

Thanks to all who helped out.

Good news!