how does one prime the oil pump ?

[Nav 4X4]

Hi all, this is my first post on this site, so go easy on me!

I know my v8s quite well, but now Im on a steep learning curve trying to figure out these KA24e engines.

I have a 1993 4x4 Navara, which Ive owned now for 4 months, the engine has done 160 k miles and is very good , but the dreaded first 3.5 seconds on start up rattle. Thanks to lots of info on this website, I reckon Im ready to tackle the job of changing all of the timing chain components very soon for I have ordered the parts ( whole kit ). Probably the only thing Im not sure of is the priming of the oil pump? With our V8s we used to prime them by filling the pump with vasoline, that would bring up oil preasure quick. With out vasoline or grease in there, oil simply would not come up. The oil pumps on the nissan engines work differently, I know, so what do you do? I read on another post here , that you disconnect the coil wire, and crank the engine till the oil light goes off and then its primed, WILL THE OIL COME UP WITH A DRY PUMP ? all responses will be appreciated, thanks in advance and cheers.

[Nav 4X4]

so Im guessing nobody really knows than ? or maybe the smart ones havent been here yet.

[Brandon93240]

The oil will come up with a dry pump, it just takes a little longer, but the instructions that you read are correct.

[DaydreamDrifter]

keep pushing in bearing grease while spinning the oil pump's shaft; it will help to pull it in as you are pushing it. and when the grease comes out the other hole, you are good to go.

[Brandon93240]

You can do that but its not necessary. Unless the engine has been rebuilt just pulling the coil wire and cranking it over is all thats really needed, even if the pump was replaced with a new unit. If the engine has been rebuilt and has a new pump they usually come packed with assembly grease anyways(although some I have gotten from aftermarket vendors haven't been)all the ka's I worked on in the 90's I've done the same way with no issues.

[mutiny]

So for a freshly rebuilt KA with dry oil pump, the oil pump should be packed with assembly lube before bolting it up and putting the motor back in?

[TheOne]

if you put grease where its needed, hand crank the engine for couple rotations, then crank without start, you should be good(pull the fuel pump fuse and unplug coil), crank till oil light goes out, or if you see pressure(5+ psi) on the oil gauge.

[mutiny]

if you put grease where its needed, hand crank the engine for couple rotations, then crank without start, you should be good(pull the fuel pump fuse and unplug coil), crank till oil light goes out, or if you see pressure(5+ psi) on the oil gauge.

So with that method it is ok to just leave the oil pump with motor oil and not put in grease?

[Brandon93240]

You don't have to grease anything, if you turn it over with no spark and fuel for 30 seconds you'll have oil pressure unless you didn't line up the oil pump drive with the dist. correctly. That is how every nissan tech including myself has and had done it since the e was in service. If you have fresh lifters they are going to tick, just build some rpms to build a little extra pressure and they will bleed out.

[Nav 4X4]

Thanks heaps for the info guys, its really helpful.

Just another question if I may, under neath the cam chain cover, apparently there are two o ring type seals, to the left of the crank, near where the oil pump goes,(these are only visible when the cover is off ) anyway I didnt get these with my kit,..should I get some from nissan and replace or can I just leave them where they are and assume they are ok?

also with my sump, Im not sure what to do, I dont know whether to take the whole thing off ! ( big job ) or just undo the front half of the bolts to lessen the preasure on the timing cover, and just try and cut the gasket around the front and slide the cover out, if I do that, can I successfully resilicone the front part of the sump to get a good seal, is it worth the risk? Or should I just undo the two front sump bolts, and try not to disturb my sump gasket at all.... cause I have to look after the head gasket as well when I put the cover back on !! ( hmmm, hard !! )

What have you peoples done before that works ?? Cheers.

[Brandon93240]

I'd unbolt the pick up, you can get that gasket and the two orings for cheap even from nissan. At that stage in the game its not worth hasseling over some gaskets and taking the risk of something not sealing up properly. Also check the pick up tube at its bend radius for cracks, early kae's are bad about cracking and it will lower your oil pressure substantially. I've seen atleast 6 that I can remember replacing/rebuilding that had a crack on the pick up.

[Nav 4X4]

Ok , so what your saying is that I should take the sump off completely, which looks like I may have to, although its a big job, apparently I have to take out my front diff, unbolt engine from mounts, and gearbox from mounts, than jack the engine up high to remove the sump, but I spose its worth doing if I should check the oil pick up tube for cracks.

so next time Im at nissan I will get the two O rings and oil pick up gasket and Ill get an oil filter while Im at it.

another question, what oil would you recommend for this engine thats done 160 k mile ? ( good nick it is ) cheers, thanks!