Lost oil pressure, think I spun a bearing...........What next??

[RalliartRsX]

Well, to tell you the story.

I went ahead and got a SR T25 and swapped it out with new taka lines. Bolted her up, and started her and didnt tighten one of the bolts all the way, so oil gushed for about a second. Tightened her up, refilled her and she was good to go. Drove her, she was pulling like no other. At that point, I became scared and told my bro I really think I should get an oil pressure gauge. Just becasue I am very anal and wanted to get things done right. Pretty much told me I have a dummy light and when pressure goes, its too late anyways. Well, I forgot about it and said maybe he is right.

Fastforward to tonight. Me and my friend in his car go at it for a few runs (nothing too dangerous. No street racing. Just a few runs. Yes its not right, or illegal since we exceded the speed limit, so you can flame all you want.) Anyways, I pull up to the light, car shuts off. I start her up not thinking much of it. I drive off again under boost and start to hear a loud clanking. Somethings no good under the hood. Pull over and sure enough, it sounds like a rod knock. Also, the dip stick is bone dry. But, funny enough, there is no oil where to be found anywhere. I checked daily after installing the lines to make sure there was no oil leaking. Nothing

So now, after only 3-4 months of ownership, I am without a 240 again . It hurts bad. PLan was to keep her as close to factory as possible with most of the mods being in suspension and reliability (since I was going to make her my daily next year). So now, I am probably looking at a rebuild (sigh).

Thats my story. Just felt like ranting as it sucks but funny enough, I wasnt shaking nerously or upset. Just took it with stride and started on working out a game plan. Forged internals started to pop into my mind, but I am a full time ENGINEERING student and I will need a loan for that (which I am trying to reduce while in school). Friend put me in check real quick with that idea and I need to keep it mild.

Can I get some opinions on which route to take?? I plan on keeping her for now so I think it might be wise to just shell out the dough, do it right and forget it. Not versed on prices on rebuilds either so I will be making a few calls tomorrow (currently at the shop awaiting prognoses and damage report).

Thanks, Chris

[float_6969]

Not to be a jerk or anything, but have you tried filling it back up with oil and starting it again? Maybe even rigging up an oil pressure gauge to see if it really is low?

Regardless, I'd drop the oil pan and pull the rod caps and main caps and see how it looks. #3 rod is the most likely canidate.

[biosehnsucht]

Like float said, it's entirely possibly it hasn't self destructed yet.. one of our members here lost pressure what.. 2, 3 times? without spinning bearings, IIRC.

Granted, you've more likely done damage than not, but its not impossible for it to be ok.

[RalliartRsX]

Yep filled her up with oil. The clacking comes on at around 2100-2400 rpm. So we did all that.

The oil pan will hopefully be dropped today or tomorrow to see whats going on with it. I will take it from there. As for the oil pressure gauge, well, probably wont hook it up until we drop the pan and make a verdict. We will see.

Thanks, Chris.

[r34 gtr]

i have personally lost oil pressure at least 4 times with no damage to the engine. it can happen. i just fill it with oil and it runs fine!

now ive got oil in my coolant... ive decided it just builds character and properly lubricates the uh... cooling system.

[RalliartRsX]

With you losing oil pressure, what took place?? Was there a loud rod knocking about?? Or just a minor tapping??

You see, the thing is what made me fear the worst was that after putting oil back in (dipstick was full), I switched her back on and the clanking was still there and loud as ever (I could here it form inside the car with windows down and music moderately loud).

I will keep all posted tonight when I get the call. But I suspect its not going to be a good one

[r34 gtr]

it sounds like you spun something. when i ran my car out of oil it was knocking like mad every time. most times i just put oil in and it went away. one time though it didnt stop knocking for at least 30 minutes (of highway driving!) and i thought it was done for. the knocking went away and when i took the engine apart to rebuild it, i found there was very minimal damage.

i wouldnt worry though, if its just some bearings and machine work it probably wont run you all that much. itll just cost you some down time.

[nocwage]

So what does this knocking sound like?The only weird noise my car makes is the kind of ticking before the lifters pressurize right when I start it.Is rod knock really loud?

[r34 gtr]

yep. its a sort of "clack-clack-clack" noise.

[RalliartRsX]

Pretty much sounds like a nasty diesel. And it can be loud.

Thanks for the good support guys. I am still going to fear the worst at the moment so atleast if its really as bad as I think, when I do get the news, it wont be a big shocker and I can get to work on a game plan right away!!

Down time is no big deal ATM since I do have a daily. But, still a bit disconcerting .

I also went by the ship today and it wasnt on the lift yet. I will swing by in about 2 more hours and see whats the diagnoses. Everyone cross your fingers and wish me luck. Right now, I am going to study and forget about it...........I also decided screw it, I will rebuild if it comes to it. Simple. .

[mjeazy4784]

Sorry to hear that, any idea what happened to the oil yet??

[RalliartRsX]

Nope, not yet as my friend still didnt get a chance to put it on a lift yet. Thats all I am waiting on before I can really figure out anything yet.

In the mean time, I think I am gathering money and figuring out how to go about this. I think I might just end up getting a good condition long block and swap it in and part out the old engine (depending on whats the final issue atleast). So if anyone wants anything, I will be posting things up in a few weeks or so.

We will see. I just hope its not as bad as I think it is (but, with my luck, I am sure its bad)

[r34 gtr]

from the sound of it, it might be cheaper just to swap out the bearings. it sounds like you caught the problem pretty quickly so there might not be that much damage.

[RalliartRsX]

I really appreciate the support guys!!!

I am just praying and hoping its simple .

Now, quick question. In this scenareo, what will I be looking for damage wise other than metal shavings in the oil?? (Like what sort of damage or scoring in addition to what float listed above)

Thanks, Chris

[r34 gtr]

take off some main and rod caps and check the condition of the bearings and journals. if you can you might want to check the condition of the cylinder walls too. i wouldnt go taking off the head but just shine a flashlight up there and turn the engine by hand and look for obvious scoring on the walls. other than that i would just cross my fingers.

[RalliartRsX]

Hmmm, still waiting folks............

[float_6969]

As Tim said, the first thing I'd do after pulling the pan is to remove the rod caps and inspect the bearings and crank for scoring. After that, remove the main caps and inspect those bearings for wear as well. I'll bet you it's the #3 rod bearing. They always seem to be the one to go...

[RalliartRsX]

Well, I spoke to Dee and he recommended a nice stock rebuild (which I am almost but decided. Just waiting for a quote from a few machine shops in the area), so we will see.

Not in any rush however as finals are coming up. I have a really good friend helping me out through this using his lift and stuff but he has many cars to deal with and I dont want to be an arsehole, hence no rush. I will definately be checking the # 3 rod bearing closely along with the others as soon as the pan hits the ground.

Just wanna give a shot out to Dee for all his help. Thanks again man and good luck

Hey float, did you get my email??

[float_6969]

Yea, I thought I responded, but I'll email you again.