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do oil pumps fail suddenly?
by
Vanagoner
on 01 Jul, 2008 08:34
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I just got my 81 n/a mechanical back on the road for a test drive yesterday after finishing the head gasket job. It had been sitting for two years before that.
anyhow, after 15 uneventful miles, the oil pressure gauge showed a sudden drop from 22 down to about 7 and she started a-knockin a little. I had it pulled over and shut down within 20 seconds. The oil level was still full on the dipstick.
Is it possible for pumps to suddenly fail, or am I looking at something else?
Thanks
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#1
by
riddleyo
on 01 Jul, 2008 09:11
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If you want to do a quick check, drain the oil and unbolt the oil pan. Check for gunk in the screen of the oil pump and tighten the 2 bolts that hold the oil pump to the block.
My low oil pressure problem was because one of the bolts had vibrated loose. That and there was a bundle of hair stuck to the oil screen.
After that is done, bolt the pan back up and remove the vacuum pump by removing the one bolt. Take an electric drill with a hex socket on it (I think it is 13mm) and spin the oil pump shaft. See how much oil pressure you are getting. If it is still low, you will have to look at the oil pump or bearings next.
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#2
by
zukgod1
on 01 Jul, 2008 10:31
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As rilddleyo has mentioned check the screen for gunk, other than that it's possible the intermediate shaft bearing went to crap.
You didn't mention though if upon restart the pressure was good again.
Was it? If it was it's prob a blocked screen as already mentioned.
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#3
by
Vanagoner
on 01 Jul, 2008 11:07
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Dan, I haven't tried re-starting it yet- she sits in a parking lot. I didn't want to risk damage 'till I figure out what is going on.
So perhaps gunk got stirred up after a few miles and plugged the screen, and may drop out enough for a re-start? I'll give that a try and let you know- thanks all.
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#4
by
rabbid79
on 01 Jul, 2008 15:07
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I'd give riddleyo's bolt tightening idea a try. It's very important that those bolts are tight. Especially since there's no gasket or o-ring between the oil pump and block that might otherwise help compensate for less than optimal bolt tightening.
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#5
by
the caveman
on 02 Jul, 2008 10:49
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This is not gospel and i'm certainly not saying they never fail, but i've never seen one fail after 25 years working on vw's EXCEPT one in which the releif valve failed and blew the filter and made the motor throw a rod.
If you have low oil pressure i would suspect bearings etc first.
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#6
by
riddleyo
on 02 Jul, 2008 12:03
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If you have low oil pressure i would suspect bearings etc first.
You are probably right, but it is always good practice to check the easy fixes first then move to suspecting the harder ones.
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#7
by
rallydiesel
on 02 Jul, 2008 12:38
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More likely intermediate shaft bearings.
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#8
by
myke_w
on 02 Jul, 2008 13:23
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I've also seen belts so loose they fail to turn the int shaft pulley