jeff@tesla.UUCP (05/24/83)
I have had a recurrence of an interesting problem with the oil pump in my 3.5L light-alloy V8 Buick Special Olds F-85 (61-63) Rover 3500 (66-now) MGC Range Rover Morgan +8 engine: Oil drains out of the pump, presumably into the oil filter, the pump loses its prime, and won`t pump. THis has happened twice over the last ten years, when the car was sitting for a week or more. The oil pump is out of the crankcase in this enginer, being attached to the timing-chain cover. The oil filter is mounted to (and is below) the pump. The shop manual does not indicate this as a flaw but do note that when the oil pump is disassembled and reassembled it must be packed with petroleum jelly to assure that it is primed. When the pump loses its prime the only fix is to take it off and pack it with p.j., as far as I can figure. Has anyone else had a problem like this and know of a fix? I shall also initiate correspondence with Rover`s in Solihull who, I assume, aren`t on the net. Jeff
jeff@tesla.UUCP (07/01/83)
You guys remember the problem I had with the oil pump on my 3.5 litre Rover Vee-8 engine (nee Buick Special `61-63) losing its priming and refusing to pump? I heard from Leyland on the problem, through their American office (now called Jaguar Cars Inc.) They say the problem arises from the oil filter being placed vertically beneath the oil pump (outside the engine, on the timing-chain cover, remember?), into which oil can drain from the pump. A proper replacement oil filter (Unipart, i.e., Leyland) will correct the problem. This filter is supposed to have a valve to prevent oil from entering except under pressure. Now, I`d like to find a domestic replacement that also has such a valve. They also said that the pump would have to be "drastically" worn to lose its priming from that cause alone. Thanks to those who made suggestions. JF