No Oil Pressure??, Only Has 300k

[Turbo4v06]

On startup it gets to normal oil pressure then after a few seconds it drops off and doesn't come back even after revving.

It had a electrical autometer (not a dummy) I installed a mechanical autometer and got the same reading plus when its warmed up you can hear every valve train component. My mechanic wants to change the oil pump and pickup for $250 and he's confident that will fix the problem but I'm afraid that this motor has given all shes got and nothing can bring her back.

Oh, I currently have a built short block but I need more time to figure out my power adder option, cams etc...

I've already posted a WTB in the marketplace for a 4v longblock.

what do you think?? what route should I take???

[Ourobos]

I don't see how an oil pump would help.. Sounds like your current pump is working fine, bearings are probably worn. What weight oil do you run? I'd try some 5w30 or even 5w40. FWIW, my 03 with 192k has 100psi cold start up, but after it's good and warm, about 15 psi.. No issues yet.. I think 15 psi is minimum spec on these engines, hot idle.

[Turbo4v06]

Just put fresh 5w30 in, same deal

[Turbo4v06]

I get about 60 - 80 psi on startup

[Ourobos]

^ what about hot idle?

[Turbo4v06]

Hot idle would be around 10-15

[tbone]

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[Turbo4v06]

lol flat line

[tbone]

I misread the OP's thread.

[RowdyRauder]

Did he ever find out what was causing the no oil pressure scenario?

[Chayton]

did you say only has 300k??

[Paul]

I doubt this is it, but a bit of dirt or thread sealing tape that blocks off the sender port will cause low/no pressure readings. If car really had no pressure, shouldn't it have seized up pretty quickly?

[Spectragod]

Driver error?

[Turbo4v06]

I disassembled the motor cleaned out all that caked on sludge (it was everywhere) even had the heads dipped, replaced all timing components and the issue was gone. both tensioners were bleeding oil from the gaskets, the pickup was almost completely blocked with broken timing components.

but i think the problem came from the sludge in the oil pump.

I DID NOT NEGLECT THIS MOTOR:)

[Turbo4v06]

did you say only has 300k??

yup 300k purred like a kitten until i lost pressure.

[Turbo4v06]

Did he ever find out what was causing the no oil pressure scenario?

if the pressure is there on start up and then falls to its death after a few seconds you might have the same issue BUT, the car did not turn off.

[massacre]

Glad to hear you got it figured out