another lucky break

[dhen]

Seems I got very lucky with my little CA. I was looking at a rebuild after I lost all oil pressure at about 7,800 RPM and found metal in my oil. I was really bummed about it but this weekend I figured I would fire it up and see what happens, although someone else told me this could make it worse. To my surprise it sounded okay. I took it on the highway and revved it to 8,000 RPM, and to my surprise, it still worked.

Tough little engines, aren't they? Now that I said that it'll probably break next week...

Here's the original thread about my stupidity:

zer...-what

Take care,

Darian

[float_6969]

Well I'm glad to hear that it seems to have turned out alright.

If I were you I'd get one of those magnetic oil drain plugs and see how it looks the next time you change the oil.

[dhen]

I think I spoke too soon. The car runs fine, but after I drove it on the highway for 30 minutes or so, I noticed that the oil pressure was fluctuating. When I stopped I had zero oil pressure at idle, although I had oil pressure when I revved the engine.

Any ideas about what would cause this?

Thanks,

Darian

[float_6969]

Sounds like a sticking pressure relief valve in the oil pump. Replacement pumps are about $250 IIRC. You'll have to drop the sub-frame, remove the pan, timing belt, and crank sprocket. The pump should pull off, slap on the new one, RTV the pan, put the sub-frame back up, and re-do the timing belt. Should take you a long Sunday if you're in the driveway with jackstands and no pneumatic tools.

[dhen]

Sounds like a sticking pressure relief valve in the oil pump. Replacement pumps are about $250 IIRC. You'll have to drop the sub-frame, remove the pan, timing belt, and crank sprocket. The pump should pull off, slap on the new one, RTV the pan, put the sub-frame back up, and re-do the timing belt. Should take you a long Sunday if you're in the driveway with jackstands and no pneumatic tools.

So a complete rebuild isn't necessary in your opinion? That's a relief.

The strange thing is that the engine was running fine. No knocking, nothing.

Thanks,

Darian

[float_6969]

I would certainly check the main and rod bearings when you have the pan off and go from there. But from what you're saying, you haven't critically damaged the motor YET. If you continue to drive it, you will.

[dhen]

Thanks for letting me know. Bearings aren't very expensive, would it be a good idea to replace them anyway? I have to pull the engine anyway because of the way my car is set up.