Engine Priming
 

To everyone,
How do I prime the engine (95 e420)
after oil change? Thanks in advance. :confused:

I believe priming is cranking the engine without allowing it to start. I just asked my mechanic how to do this and he said to disconnect the TDC sensor wire on the ignition module, and said this wire is the rearmost connection (i.e. closest to the driver) of the 3 upper connections, and the small wire attached to it is clipped to the firewall.

I haven't actually tried this yet for fear of frying the ignition module so will be interested to get confirmation that this is indeed the right way to do it.

Clauser, why do you want to prime the oil after a change? Under normal circumstances, such as warming the engine before change and then firing it back up right after a change, one should be safe with a normal starting procedure. Is there some other consideration?

For a vehicle that may sit for several days or weeks before startup, one may want to remove sparkplugs, short out the coil wire to ground and spin engine with starter for several seconds until oil pressure is obtained. Otherwise, you may be asking for more hassle than benefit.

Of course, you may want to fill the new filter with oil before installing if possible.

For what I've read in the DIY section,priming
the engine after an oil change,will avoid
timing chain rattle.I'm paranoid about
timing chain issue because my car,is approaching
100k.I think it might help preserve the life
of the TC and relative components.
Thanks,

I think southern son might be right .But on the other hand I do not blame you for being overly cautious .Better safe than sorry.and after all we are only talking about a couple extra minutes to prime the motor :)

Now,thats a relief.
Thanks John,and everybody.

I might add one note to a procedure twist on some of the new engines such as the new generation GM small block. I understand that it is recommended to allow a few minutes after adding new oil before starting the motor to allow for the oil to make full travel to sump and pickup. May be other motors similar. Anyway, I now allow a few minutes for my LT4 vette just to be on the safe side.:eek: