I am rather stuck! Changed my oil and filter, and now have no oil pressure!

Im reluctant to keep turning the car over.

I have a remote oil filter and cooler, so I n=know it needs more oil than usual, but have put 6l in now, and dipstick seems fine, so dont understand.

Any ideas?

I did wonder if it was a faulty filter, but got it from subaru.

 

do u have a oil pressure gauge. u may have a bit of swarf where ur pressure sender is. if u have one, try cleaning this first

 

I do have an oil pressure gauge- how would a bit of swarf get there if it wasnt there before?

 

Hi Grant, just a couple of thoughts, is your gauge electronic or mechanical? Long shot but maybe you disturbed some of the wiring to the sender? Has the oil pressure light on the dash gone out?

James

 

hi there, when i changed my oil pump i was unable to get the oil pressure light to go out, however once the vehicle is started it went out immediately, dont worry mate, just start it, itl be ok

 

Oil pressure sender is electronic, and one on the dash is on as well.

Was told to try cranking the engine with the oil filter loosened lightly to see if oil comes out, but none did.

I have tried starting the engine about three times for a couple of seconds each time, but dash light stays on, and pressure sensor shows 0 pressure! I think they are right, and I just have to solve the air lock.

Two things have been suggested:
1. Remove the spark plugs and crank it over- the reduced compression aiding oil flow. Tried a 21mm spark plug spanner and it didnt fit- anyone know the size?
2. Open the oil pump, and stuff the bottom full of grease. I dont know how this helps to be honest, apart from maybe the grease creating pressure?

This isnt a great pic but gives you an idea- my oil filter is mounted to the bulkhead for easy changing, and the oil lines are pretty long (the large silver lines) and go to my oil cooler before coming back again- its a fair length of piping but deliberately so to keep as much oil in the system as possible to help with any starvation issues (plus a baffled sump):



Never anticipated this problem! Last time it went smoothly, and have just bled the brakes all round, changing the fluid, and sprayed wheels back to gold again, and tht all went well

All help appreciated.

Grant

 

Seems very weird mate,ive got an oil cooler and it takes about 6Lts to fill mine but i can get my light to go of on cranking,maybe your oil relieve valve is stuck?
The oil pump should defo not need packing with vaseline mate ive only ever heard of that on old land rover discovery diesel oil pumps to help create the first bit of pressure on changing for a new item.

 

6l is what I have put in too at the moment- reluctant to keep pouring more in!

I might try the plugs then- you dont know the socket size?

 

Don't just keep putting oil mate cause you'll end up over filled and it will force it way out of seals ie turbo.
The plugs are if i remember rightly 17mm mate but then ive got specific sockets designed for plugs only but i think its 17mm so try that,have you done anything else other than change the oil?

 

Not to the engine- changed brake fluid and sprayed wheels.

Have some spark plug sockets so will see if I have a 17- cheers for that- dont think a normal 17 will work as you say.

I may end up draining oil out if I have to- it was overfilled by a garage once and annoyed the hell out of me!

 

very strange though mate,can't think of anything that would cause the oil pressure loss after just changing the oil,did you fill the filter before fitting and cranking?

 

Filter filled and oil is lovely Castrol 10w60- whatever the top range gold one is.

 

tbh mate it could be the thickness of the oil doing it as i wouldnt personally use 10/60,as its coming winter time as well,perhaps the pickup gauze can't pick it up?

 

Atcold it will be 10w same as normal oil- it just has a better range for higher temps. Amount of oil thats in there it should be right in there I would hope.

 

Crankshaft nut is twenty two mil

 

That lost me!

 

i am more concerned about the thickness when hot mate really as unless your running big power or track daying her you will never get the oil hot/thin enough to be getting it were it needs to quick enough thus causing premature wear mate,only my thought mate each to there own though.
Defo try cranking with the plugs out first as i had to crank myn for about 20/30 seconds to get the oil light out when changing but as mentioned i have an oil cooler which increases the capacity alot more than a remote oil filter off take would.

 

It takes a few seconds for the light to go off after starting the car, just start it and let it run for 6s the light will go off. But drain some oil as 6lt is way too much.
You should not fill more than 4.5lt.

 

Will need more than 4.5 litres if there is an oil cooler - 6 litres sounds right. Anyway it isnt an oil level issue.

How long did the engine sit with no oil in it?

Is it possible to drop the hoses off the remote filter and fill those directly ?

As said though, plugs out and spin it for 20-30 seconds to get good pressure before starting it. Do not start it in the hope that oil pressure will magically appear.

 

Personally I think your oil is to heavy,remove plugs,remove the adapter block spin engine to see if oil is reaching there.Had similar prob on a Ford,I removed filter inlet pipe then fixed a pump that i used to drain boat sumps to create suck,luck was on my side it worked.Drain sump put 5/40 same make oil in and fingers crossed

 

Plugs are 16mm. For sure.


Did you fit a genuine Subaru filter? A lot of aftermarket filters don't have an anti-drain-back-valve, black nitrile membrane behind the outer ring of holes, to stop oil reversing out when the engine is off.

 

Hi Plugs are 5/8 or 16mm mate. As said above try back filling the hoses as the are quite long with a decent bore, also pre fill the filter and try cranking over. Please don't start it till your 100% it has oil pressure.

 

You should try to pre fill the filter as much as possible.
You didn't mention if the engine is being cranked with the crank sensor unplugged or not.
I'd asvise to pull the crank sensor plug off, and then turn it over.
My oil light took 15secs of cranking before the oil pressure light turned off.
Once the light goes off, replug the sensor back on and start her up.

 

Guys, the Subaru manual doesn't say to do all this for an oil change but some people do as a matter of precaution (or is it paranoia - me including!). If you are worried, disconnect the crankshaft sensor and crank the car until the light goes off. This will take 20-30s as said. Otherwise, just start her up normally and the light should go off within a few seconds.

 

Gents- this is fantasic help.

Engine didnt sit without oil for more than 30 mins, but I didnt start it or anything after filling the oil, which is 2 days ago, as was doing brakes etc.

Filter is a genuine one- learnt that a long time ago.

Pre filling the oil lines is a brilliant idea though- dont know why I didnt think of it before!

I can fill both quite easily, and will give that a try- glad its 16mm as dont have a 17mm- pain in the proverbial to remove the plugs though.

Im going to have my dinner and give it a go shortly.

On the plus side, had a good days fishing today

Re the oil, my car is used for hill climbs and track days as well as road use, hence why I bought that one. I have always gone for a 10w minimum- think 5w is a bit thin for these engines.

Next instalment due soon, and thanks for the help again

 

Prob the initial empty filter was the reason. You typically need to have few goes at filling it for it to get saturated and fully filled. And defo disconnect the crank sensor before priming...

 

Filter was full, but will fill lines shortly.

Why disconnect the crank sensor?

 

Stops it firing.

 

As above, engine will turn over, but fuel and spark is cut.
So you can turn the engine over and build up oil pressure safely.

 

You DON'T have to disconnect the crankshaft sensor. Just start the car normally and the light will go off within a few seconds!
If it was necessary the Subaru technical manual would mention this.