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[Shackeng]

Honestly, I really couldn't say but Im suspecting it hasn't been changed for about 20K, I only use Vx semi synthetic...

 

[Andy H]

No noise from the big ends though....?

OK, I'll start by dropping the oil and take a look at the strainer... hope its as easy as that, didn't really want to shell out for a new pump. Would be cheaper to get another engine....

Good! The valve gear is your early warning. It takes decent oil pressure to fill the lifters but isn't immediately damaging to the camshafts as long as there is some oil splashing about.

The crankshaft bearings are a different matter. When they wear they let oil escape which makes it difficult to maintain oil pressure - particularly at idle.

[minifreek]

We shall see what happens tomorrow, I'll get me the service items needed and see what happens.... hopefully its just the strainer needs cleaning/unclogging....

[minifreek]

Well Iv been at it all day...

Dropped the oil, takes a fookin' age to empty when cold..... so went to the local Vx dealer and bough me an oil filter and 2 tubs of oil, also ordered a filter and gasket for the gearbox too.... £60 oppsing quid for a ruddy filter....!!! also bought the gaskets for the rocker covers whilst I was there as the OS rocker is starting to weep a bit... and its dropping onto the exhaust manifold and stinks whilst its burning...

So got back, oil had stopped falling out, bloody horrible black and thick oil... blimey..!!!

Took sump off and located the strainer/pick up..... absolutely full of crap, so removed it... Looks like it had got blocked with silicone sealent, and a couple of knackered O rings too.... so cleaned it out and gave it a general clean and tidy, same with the sump pan, gave that a ruddy good clean too - plenty crap in there too... need to get a magnetic sump plug....

So, refitted the oil pickup and refitted the sump with new paper gasket.... dropped the car back onto its wheels so it was level and proceeded to pour in the oil....

Took the immobiliser chip out the key so the engine wouldn't fire, and span the engine over a couple times to get the oil circulating.... put the chip back in the key and started the engine.... the oil light went out but there was a hell of a clatter from the top-end.... shat myself then realised theres no oil at the top of the engine LOL

Anyhoo ran it for a while, its gradually got quieter and quieter but theres still a slight tappity type noise from the lifters (I presume).... so might get some oil treatment for that, unless it buggers off and I can leave it alone...

So all in all, no need to get another engine or oil pump as it was the strainer/pickup that was blocked... thankfully...




So onto the next job, need to fix the exhaust blow from the manifold now.... might just replace the manifolds for 2.6/3.2 headers... need to source them now

[minifreek]

Unlikely to be the pump - very likely that the pick up strainer is blocked with gunge.

To change the pump involves undoing the bolt in the end of the crankshaft - people struggle to shift it even with a 3 foot scaffold tube.

Start off by dropping the oil pan and cleaning out the sump and pick up strainer. If that doesn't fix it - or if the noise continues even after the oil light goes out then the big ends will need re-shelling

Good call on that mate, it did turn out to be the strainer

Thankyou

[Andy H]

Unlikely to be the pump - very likely that the pick up strainer is blocked with gunge.

To change the pump involves undoing the bolt in the end of the crankshaft - people struggle to shift it even with a 3 foot scaffold tube.

Start off by dropping the oil pan and cleaning out the sump and pick up strainer. If that doesn't fix it - or if the noise continues even after the oil light goes out then the big ends will need re-shelling

Good call on that mate, it did turn out to be the strainer

Thankyou

Excellent news 

Glad you got to it in time.

[sjc]

Good result!

Give it another oil change in 500 miles (it'll have absorbed a lot more of the crud floating round in there) and that will most likely sort the lifter noise.

[minifreek]

The lifter noise has almost gone, must've been dry...

I'll change the oil in a couple of weeks as it takes a while for me to clock up 500 miles in the Miggy.... I drive my proper Mini when out and about during the week, the Miggy is the school bus and weekend taxi...