Hello all, I am desparately looking for answers to my dilema. I started my
85 300D TD (216K miles running WVO thru a greasecar kit) the other day to move it and got a weird pop sound and then the engine really got noisy and started to clatter. I still had oil pressure and thought that it might be an exhaust leak so I opened the hood and inspected. I was in a hurry so shut the car down w/in a couple minutes. Went to start the car a couple days later and it was still very noisy. Checked the oil, transmission fluid, checked for exhaust leaks but the oil pressure was still w/in range. Then I lost oil pressure all together. In total, I ran the engine about 10 to 12 minutes while making the unusually loud running noise and about 2 to 3 minutes with 0 oil pressure.

My questions are: What damage was done? Can I be relatively sure that it's the oil pump or could it be an oil passage block? Where can I find an aftermarket or refurb as they want almost $500 for a new one. Has anyone out there had this experience?

The clattering will be the big ends running without oil pressure. They get damaged pretty quickly, but you might get away with it.

The oil pump is probably a good place to start or you could take the cam cover off and see if there is anything obvious.

If there is an easy way for oil to escape the system then the pressure will be lost.

The pop sound may have been something breaking and oil pressure is being lost at this point.

i agree.

while changing oil pressure you can take a look at the bearings. i good machinist will be able to tell by looking at them or you can plastigauge them.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.