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 ?)

svengruber · #7 07-06-2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks Compress Ignite - do you know if is there any way to check oil flow/pressure between the oil pump and the #286 valve? pls forgive my mechanical ignorance.

compress ignite · #8 07-06-2009, 03:34 PM

But ,If you look inside your Valve cover and see evidence of recent lubrication
,that would be prima facie that the bearing points are getting lubed.

Remember,I am flailing around without any answers for you,only Guesses!

Oldwolf · #9 07-06-2009, 03:37 PM

Can he pull the oil pressure sending unit and check for flow there when cranking?

Also when my engine is running I can see the oil lubing the cam shaft through the filler hole on the valve cover. With the engine off at least a visual inspection there might verify if oil is being delivered.

Oldwolf · #10 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 · #11 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 · #12 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]

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?