Priming the engine after rebuild

[RichLV]

Hi Guys!

I'll be finally assembling back the stuff in the engine bay very soon and wanted to ask general tips about priming these 5-pots, as it seems to differ from engine to engine. I want the start to be as perfect as possible, without any hiccups. The big question is how to get the oil flowing around. Methods I've heard are these:

1. Just use the starter, with ignition/injectors disconnected and do short crank bursts for around 20 minutes.
2. Stick it in 5th gear and strap it to another car. Start pulling, give the engine around 1000 rpm and the oil should be in the pump.
3. Use a syringe to fill the pump from the oil filter mounting holes on the side of the block.

Are these legit? If yes, then what would be the best? Does the pump suck in oil if it's dry?

Afterwards, the first 1000km are the "drive-in" period of very light loads and stuff. How does the oil change happen - pour it in, start it, heat it up to 90 degrees and then change or pour it in, drive 1000km and then change?

Thanks for any information you might bestow upon me.

[AndyP]

Use a good assembly lube, I used this on mine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TORCO-MPZ-...gAAOSwEetV~B4M

I also packed the oil pump with vaseline to help it prime quicker. Then when it was built, remove the spark plugs and ECU fuses and crank it on the starter. From memory you should be seeing at least 2bar oil pressure after around 30seconds

[RichLV]

Use a good assembly lube, I used this on mine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TORCO-MPZ-...gAAOSwEetV~B4M

I also packed the oil pump with vaseline to help it prime quicker. Then when it was built, remove the spark plugs and ECU fuses and crank it on the starter. From memory you should be seeing at least 2bar oil pressure after around 30seconds

It's already assembled )) Only the head is separate from the block. Other than that's it's all ready to go in. Just wanted to know how to prime the oil. So just starter is enough. I'll need 2 batteries for this.

[silizium]

Just take spark plugs out and turn key and wait for oil pressure. Take your cam sensor plug off and you dont have spark or fuel. Basic thing for every engine.

[RichLV]

Just take spark plugs out and turn key and wait for oil pressure. Take your cam sensor plug off and you dont have spark or fuel. Basic thing for every engine.

How long should I crank it on the starter?

[domas]

until you start to see the pressure, of oil gauge is present

[Rusty]

Can also disconnected oil drain from the turbo (at the sump end) to check for oil flow through the turbo.

[RichLV]

until you start to see the pressure, of oil gauge is present

Now I got it! Do I need a separate gauge or is the one in the dash sufficient?

[Error404]

Use a good assembly lube, I used this on mine

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TORCO-MPZ-...gAAOSwEetV~B4M

I also packed the oil pump with vaseline to help it prime quicker. Then when it was built, remove the spark plugs and ECU fuses and crank it on the starter. From memory you should be seeing at least 2bar oil pressure after around 30seconds

Exactly this. After a couple of 10 second blasts on the starter I had 5 bar oil pressure just off the starter motor. Packing the oil pump with Vaseline is the most important part.

[RichLV]

Exactly this. After a couple of 10 second blasts on the starter I had 5 bar oil pressure just off the starter motor. Packing the oil pump with Vaseline is the most important part.

Pity I didn't know that before. Block is fully assembled already.

[Error404]

Well its not a big job to remove the oil pump

[RichLV]

Well its not a big job to remove the oil pump

What if I don't pack it with vaseline?

[Error404]

Some pumps will never prime themselves, not sure if ours is like that. At best it will take much longer to pick-up oil and generate pressure.

[s0_big]

Prime

I just lubed my oil pump with assembly lube. Popped the sparkplugs and cranked until i got oilpressure. Took a little while but Worked fine.

[SteveH]

I forgot to lube my oil pump and couldn't get it to prime with the starter after a rebuild. I got it primed by removing the oil pressure switch and used a syringe to fill through the hole. That worked a treat, so I guess the oil must have run though the gallery back to the pump. Try that if you get stuck.