In a message dated 96-08-14 09:17:55 EDT, TEdlund(at)aol.com writes:
>Our Series V (B395009965) takes an abnormally long time to build up oil
>pressure at start-up. After the engine starts you can hear (I suppose its
>the valve train) quite loudly until the pressure builds then it quiets down.
> If I started the car several times in the same day the problem doesn't
>exist. If the car sits for a day or two between starts the problem
reoccurs.
> Its as if all the oil drains back into the sump and the whole system needs
>to be re-primed.
>
>I used to think that the problem was a bad anti drain back valve in the oil
>filter until I tried two other filters (another Fram and a Wix which is on
>the car now).
>
>The engine was rebuilt about 2,000 miles ago (by someone else). The oil
>pressure (once it builds up) is 55 lbs. when cold and about 40 lbs. when
hot.
>
>Did I get three bad oil filters in a row or is there some other reason why
>the pressure takes so long to build? Could a bad oil pressure relief valve
>cause this? Any advice would be appreciated.
>
>
Does the pressure come up gradually from the start, or does it sit there with
no pressure at all for some time before suddenly jumping up to 50 lbs? If
it suddenly comes up, how many seconds after starting does it take?
If there's no pressure at all, that initial sound is probably rod bearings.
The rockers can take a long time to get oil on the best of Alpines, and
doesn't seem to make much difference in noise level.
Is there any chance you're using the wrong dipstick?
Are the oil cooler hoses on your Series V routed correctly (one over the top
of the valve cover)? I've heard (and it may be rumor) that oil pressure
sometimes takes longer to come up if both hoses are routed side-by-side thru
the horn opening.
The oil pump must be also be considered suspect, especially if the pressure
is only gradually rising from the start.
In my experience, oil pressure relief valves normally stick open only after
warming up, but return to normal when turned off, so the next startup
shouldn't be affected. Its worth the time to stick another one in just to
see if there's any difference. Does the pressure ever fluctuate at steady
RPM's?
A final thought: Do you get a hot 40 psi while at idle or at higher RPM's?
For only a 2,000 mile rebuild, its fine for "at idle" but about 10 pounds
low for "at speed" conditions. Were the cam bearings replaced during the
R&R?
Dick Sanders
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