Engine Oil Circulator??? Exist???
 

I was wondering... I have noticed on my 87 (OM603) that if I don't drive it for a while then drive it again I get a lifter tick. I can figure why this would be, my oil has all drained to the oil pan.

But this got me thinking. Probably someone else has stayed awake wondering this besides me. But... starting a car with parts that aren't oiled well is probably the worst thing the engine faces. So... if the parts were oiled before the start, what kind of lifespan would be expected? I'd bet 1,000,000 miles would be pretty common from a MB diesel engine.

Does something exist that we could plug in to pump oil through the engine for 10 minutes or so before starting?

Not that I know of unless you wanted to use an axuilary oil pump which just would be a waste. IMO not doing anything is your best bet because the car was desighned to be started cold and do "dry" startups. All motors tend to get a little lifter tick until the oil pumps up through them

Again just my opinion, I wouldn't be too concerned :)

~Ian

what oil are you running? Are the lifters original?

Yep they are original. I ran Wal-Mart 15W40 oil for a change or two. Seemed like the lifters ticked more. I don't notice it as much on Rotella 15W40. I notice a smidge on Delvac. But then again some of this may have to do with more than the oil. There are lots of factors I can think of:

• Ambient temp

• How long the car has sat at idle parked (ticks if I let it idle for 10 minutes or more)
• How long since last start
• Oil type
• How long since last change

So, that makes pointing the finger at one cause a little tricky. But I think I have noticed less tick with Rotella than other types of oil. I could replace the lifters but it's not hurting anything other than my ego.

But that said, I'm not so much worried about the lifter tick. I am seriously curious about a way to circulate the oil though. I really do think it could make our cars last long. I could be wrong but it makes sense to me. I think if you built an engine and ran it in a lab, never turning it off until something major went, assuming parts like hoses etc didn't wear out, the engines moving parts would last much longer than running the same engine, turning off for a week, restarting, running, turning it off, running, so on and so on...

Opinions?

Wow I'm an idiot-I just posted an identical thread

There are such devices. They are called pre-oilers.

chief engineer here
 

On the towboat I work on I prelube the engine if they have been sitting over 6hrs.The engines will tic bad if I don't prelube.The engine are gm 645.And they are 2 stroke.Each cyl is 645 cu in.The prelube takes the oil from the oil pan and cycles it to a tube under each piston and also cycles it to the top end.I have seen a prelube sys for sale before but it was junk.Maybe I;ll build one.well that's my 2 cents. thanks for ya'll infor great forum

Thanks Kerry! I found one based on your pointer "Pre-Oiler". AMS-Oil Makes one:
http://www.smartsynthetics.com/products/amsoil-prechargers-amk01-amk02.htm

Is this any good? Would it work?