93 300D 2.5T - no oil circulation - HELP!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

svengruber · #1 07-06-2009, 11:19 AM

Long story short, I had to replace the engine in the car due to a timing chain failure. I found a used motor with about 100K miles from a car that had been in a roll-over, and the motor appeared fine less a damaged oil pan. We installed the replacement motor in the car and it fired right up, but with no oil pressure. All the normal oil pump priming procedures had been followed. Without finding any other problems, we concluded the oil pump was bad and went ahead and replaced it with a new oil pump. Again, even with the new primed oil pump, there is no oil circulation/pressure. With the oil filter housing lid removed, it is evident no oil is making its way to filter housing - either from hand turning (glow plugs removed) or a quick cranking. My mechanic has concluded their must be damage to the replacement engine's block/oil ports...if it is not going to the filter, it must be going somewhere else not intended.

I am at wits end...does anyone have any idea of what could be wrong other than bottom end damage???????

Oldwolf · #2 07-06-2009, 01:16 PM

So the new oil filter is completely dry when you remove the cover? Are the two o-rings installed at the bottom of the filter cover tube? Since it is starting the cam chain must be OK, or does the oil pump have a separate chain. I think it might. I'm new too MB so sorry I can't help you more. Good luck.

svengruber · #3 07-06-2009, 02:00 PM

yes, the oil filter is bone dry. The oil pump is chain driven, and both (oil pump & chain) have been renewed. I am also in Raleigh.

compress ignite · #4 07-06-2009, 02:56 PM

In the "As Built s" Pressurized Oil Goes directly from the Oil Pump to the Oil Filter
Housing VALVES (I'll say it again, VALVES)

Praying for a OFH Valve failure here!

How long has the engine run like this?

When you look inside the Oil Fill aperture in the top of the Valve Cover;Is
there evidence of Lubrication occurring at the Camshaft ? If it's DRY up there
I'd not Start the engine again until the Oil Pressure lack is rectified.

svengruber · #5 07-06-2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks Compress Ignite. Am I correct in thinking that a failure in one or both of the valves would still allow lubing of the engine, just not oil flow through the filter?? I am screwed if that is the case....from the brief few seconds that the engine has run it sounds as though the whole engine was not being lubricated (i.e., not just a dry oil filter).

compress ignite · #6 07-06-2009, 03:15 PM

would allow unfiltered oil to all the bearing points.

I've a nasty suspicion that if the intake valve were to "Lockup" there would be NO lube
to the bearing points.

God,I hate to ask this...What KIND of SOUND is the engine making?
(A long drawn out SCREECH ?)

Oldwolf · #7 07-06-2009, 03:39 PM

This will be a pita and messy but the oil filter housing can be removed for verification of oil flowing from the pump.

svengruber · #8 07-06-2009, 03:49 PM

need some more education...where is the oil pressure sensor located in the system as it relates? my mechanic has stated the clues are 1) dry filter, 2) bad sounds, and 3) zero on the oil pressure gauge. would there still be oil pressure (as recorded on the dashboard gauge) if the oil filter housing valve(s) were closed and oil was bypassing the filter housing?

compress ignite · #9 07-06-2009, 04:02 PM

Oil Pressure Gauge Sensor Screws into the Engine Firewall side of the
Oil Filter Housing Itself...If you've no Oil Pressure inside the Filter Housing
No Way for the Sensor to read it.

[I've got to run out for a few hours,will check back later]

LUVMBDiesels · #10 07-06-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svengruber

need some more education...where is the oil pressure sensor located in the system as it relates? my mechanic has stated the clues are 1) dry filter, 2) bad sounds, and 3) zero on the oil pressure gauge. would there still be oil pressure (as recorded on the dashboard gauge) if the oil filter housing valve(s) were closed and oil was bypassing the filter housing?

if you open the oil filler, is there oil on the cam lobes? If not you are pretty much screwed...

I would also drop the oil pan and make sure the pickup is not clogged and is still attached to the oil pump.

svengruber · #11 07-06-2009, 04:44 PM

i concur with me being screwed...no oil on cam lobes.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 07-06-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svengruber

i concur with me being screwed...no oil on cam lobes.

Sorry!
That is the pits...

All I can think is get the oil problem fixed and see if it runs. I am thinking it could be the oil filter valves, the pump pickup or the chain slipped off the sprocket somehow.

Oldwolf · #13 07-06-2009, 04:07 PM

The sensor is located on the bottom side of the oil filter housing. So that idea may not help since the housing is not filling with oil.

Does the oil pump suction housing come attached to the new pump? Is there any way that could be damaged or plugged? I would guess the mechanic checked that though.

Check these out for more info.

http://www.w124performance.com/service/w124CD1/Program/Engine/602_603/18-0001a.pdf

http://www.w124performance.com/service/w124CD1/Program/Engine/602_603/18-0999a.pdf

http://www.w124performance.com/service/w124CD1/Program/Engine/602_603/18-1000a.pdf

svengruber · #14 07-06-2009, 04:40 PM

just spoke with my mechanic again, and he confirmed that there is no oil flow to the oil filter housing nor evidence of oil lubing inside the valve cover (i.e., doesn't appear to just be bypassing the oil filter housing). I am so screwed.

Compress Ignite - To answer your earlier question, the car has only been cranked two times (for a few seconds each time) since the replacement engine was installed, once before and after the new oil pump install.

looks like surfing the used car listings on craigslist is in the cards for this evening

rrgrassi · #15 07-06-2009, 04:40 PM

Where does the oil level read on the dip stick?